Coop insulation concerns

[munchkinlover]

My husband built me a chicken tractor 17' long by 8' wide on metal H-Beams with a coop that is almost 3' above the ground on one end. He put 3 nesting boxes on the back, a cute window on each side and inside the run the coop has 2 doors that open up. A small door was the original opening (besides the chicken door) and he added another one that opens up half the coop on the other side to have good access for cleaning, etc. My concern is that this winter should I put some kind of insulation on the underside of the coop to keep the coop floor warmer? I have sand on the coop floor and it's great, but sand gets cold. Any thoughts?

 

[DobieLover]

My husband built me a chicken tractor 17' long by 8' wide on metal H-Beams with a coop that is almost 3' above the ground on one end. He put 3 nesting boxes on the back, a cute window on each side and inside the run the coop has 2 doors that open up. A small door was the original opening (besides the chicken door) and he added another one that opens up half the coop on the other side to have good access for cleaning, etc. My concern is that this winter should I put some kind of insulation on the underside of the coop to keep the coop floor warmer? I have sand on the coop floor and it's great, but sand gets cold. Any thoughts?

As long as there are no drafts that will blow their feathers open, the roost area is dry and very well ventilated, the chickens will be fine. They come with built in insulation.

 

[aart]

Any thoughts?

Please post pics of coop, inside and out....
.....and, do tell:
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[munchkinlover]

Please post pics of coop, inside and out....
.....and, do tell:
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1945104

Thanks for showing me where to add a pic and all. I am NOT computer friendly. I will post pics a little later. My pic is of my Egger, Cadburry. Isn't she cute?

 

[Acre4Me]

I’m curious how cold it gets where you are...what is the cold part of winter like for you?

You are right that sand gets cold, so if concerned you could switch to pine shavings for the cold portion of the winter.

 

[munchkinlover]

I’m curious how cold it gets where you are...what is the cold part of winter like for you?

You are right that sand gets cold, so if concerned you could switch to pine shavings for the cold portion of the winter.

Temperature varies here. Last winter we only had a short cold winter with maybe 5 days below freezing, but generally 30's to 40's. The way things are going now, I expect much colder this year. And yes, you are right. Pine shavings would be good. Thank you.

 

[Acre4Me]

Temperature varies here. Last winter we only had a short cold winter with maybe 5 days below freezing, but generally 30's to 40's. The way things are going now, I expect much colder this year. And yes, you are right. Pine shavings would be good. Thank you.

Good to know! Those temps : 30s or 40s are quite loved by chickens! Not hot, and not too cold since they are always wearing down jackets!

 

[cmom]

I use pine shavings on the floors of my coops that have wood floors because when the birds poop in the coop, it's easier to clean the poop off of the floor.

 

[munchkinlover]

I use pine shavings on the floors of my coops that have wood floors because when the birds poop in the coop, it's easier to clean the poop off of the floor.

Sand has been a blessing for me. I put a long handle on my litter scoop and I can scoop the poop right where it lands and keep it pretty clean sand throughout. Until I added a long handle I had to rake it to the opening and it got all mixed in with the sand and was not near as easy to deal with. But I think I want to add something warmer on the floor for the winter. Thanks for the input. I will give it a try.

 

[munchkinlover]

Please post pics of coop, inside and out....
.....and, do tell:
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1945104

Here are my pics. I am lacking in the paint finishing and trim on the boxes, but working on it on dry days. There is straw on the ground because of all the rain we have had. Once it dries a bit, we will move the tractor to a different location.