Cold weather coop design

[Bibsteys]

Hello all! So I’m about halfway through building this coop with all reclaimed wood and I have read a ton of conflicting information about coop preparation for winter, I would love some input. I live in Ontario our winters are long and cold. I’m at the point where I’m putting plywood on the inside to cover studs and cracks from the slat face so the coop isn’t draftey and I wonder if I should insulate the walls? The roof trusses are open front and back for ventilation I will hardware cloth them for critters maybe I should block some trusses in winter?. Also the coop is about 3.5x7.5 on the inside I’m thinking 6 chickens would be idea but I wonder if a few more is a good idea to keep each other warm. The run will be two hundred square feet. Also should I have heat lamps or heaters in general are they required? I do plan to use the deep litter method and I know this will provide some heat. I plan to have a mixed flock. Any input from Ontario or cold weather chicken keepers would be great thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Here's the best information: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[aart]

The roof trusses are open front and back for ventilation I will hardware cloth them for critters maybe I should block some trusses in winter?

Not unless you feel strong drafts coming thru.
Pics of inside would help immensely here.

This is is what I use for some of my soffit vents:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ventilation-baffling.75434/

 

[DobieLover]

I’m putting plywood on the inside to cover studs and cracks

If the cracks are less than 1/2" and the prevailing winds will not be strong enough to blow feathers open during the winter, I would not close them off. They will offer much needed ventilation.
I intentionally have leaky windows that do not seal tightly. The chickens do fine with that extra ventilation.

I wonder if I should insulate the walls?

This is not a good idea. Insulated walls are a haven for rodents.

I should block some trusses in winter?

Baffle if needed but don't block. All the spaces between my rafters are open and I have never felt the need to baffle them.

I wonder if a few more is a good idea to keep each other warm

Chickens do not keep each other warm. They keep themselves warm by fluffing up their feathers, sitting on their feet and digesting food overnight in a very DRY well ventilated coop. You are understandably thinking like a nekid mammal.
Chickens are birds with down coats and high metabolisms that generate a lot of heat. Selecting cold hardy birds with small, tight combs will do well in your climate. Have you heard of Chantecler chickens?

should I have heat lamps or heaters in general are they required?

Typically not required and are a HUGE fire risk.

I do plan to use the deep litter method and I know this will provide some heat.

Deep litter does not work well off the ground. It's nearly impossible to kick off composting without adequate moisture. Which you really don't want in the coop in the winter. That is the combination that causes frostbite.

 

[Iluveggers]

I love your coop! Very impressed at your build. 6 chickens will be perfect (they need 4 sq ft each in the coop).

Make sure your roost bars & nesting boxes are not in a drafty area, but don’t close off all ventilation in the winter as they’ll still need it!