Coop Insulation Question

[Jakoda]

I'm in CT, the winters ya never know, summers are usually mild to hot.

My coop is a partioned section of my 12 x 30 prebuilt shed. The walls inside are studs/uninsulated.

I plan on covering with plywood, but a question my husband has is, should we insulate? If we do NOT insulate and cover with plywood, he's wondering if it will get 'damp' behind the plywood because of the lack of insulation? Here's a picture of what the walls look like, I would be insulating only the outside shed walls . Thanks for any suggestions/tips.

 

[duckinnut]

It is entirely up to you. Some insulate, some don't. As long it is draft free but with adequate ventilation they will be fine if you chose not to. For me I insulated my coop walls and ceiling bays in part for extreme cold and more so for heat shield during the summer. The roof was most important because before I did it, it was extremely hot inside the coop but now is on average 15 degrees cooler than the outside temp. which is big in July and August. For the walls being insulated was a kind of win-win situation as I ended up with "4" roosters,yes "4". Down to 1 now but insulation serves as a sound barrier. Can barely here Rocky during winter months and knocks it down a few decibels in summer when he starts a 4:00 am. Some say it makes a nice nest for mice but i have yet to see any but my coop would be hard for them to get in as the inside walls are 1"lap board(recycled off of a house) and outside is 3/8 T1-11 plus my coop is raised.

 

[Jakoda]

thanks ! I'm thinking to for the summer heat, it gets pretty hot in there, will be installing more windows w/screens but thought adding insulation might cut down on the heat factor..

 

[4 the Birds]

I'm not sure that I would even add interior plywood. It looks good to me as is. If you add plywood then this will create an air pocket which will help insulate. Upper ventilation will remove dampness/humidity. Insulation will for sure be nice but not necessary in my opinion. A small heat lamp would be my choice for those cold Winter temps.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You don't even need to heat in CT. Northern NH here with no heat and no problems. Adequate ventilation and add a fan to window if summer heats up the coop too much or have the coop in shade area so it doesn't get direct sunlight heating it up.

 

[johnderosa1]

If you are going to insulate you will need to close in the walls & ceiling with plywood as you are planning. Anything that is exposed that they can eat... they will. I put up some reflective insulation on the ceiling of my coop this winter for a little added protection but had to take it down the following day since they ate what they could reach above their roosting perch. The last post is right on about the sound dampening benefit. I am thinking about puting in some insulation on the front wall to quiet my roosters a bit. Finally, ventilation in the summer is critical... they seem to suffer a lot more in the heat than in the cold.

 

[Baker Farm]

On this topic, in my case I live in eastern Ontario near Ottawa, where winters can get very cold... Like -20C (below 0F) often enough, and sometimes colder. Do I need to insulate? Or will a non drafty coop be enough? Also, how can you keep drafts down but ventilate at the same time in cold winter months?

Sorry to hijack thread.

 

[Fred's Hens]

The question I've always had in my mind is this. How does one insulate to keep "heat" in the coop during winter while also providing adequate ventilation? I honestly do not know.

If one provides enough ventilation to keep it dry, doesn't the "heat" just go out, right with the moist air?

 

[JackE]

The problem with having interior walls in a chickens coop, is that you provide a secure hidden place for mice and/or other pests to live. You don't really need to add any insulation, the chickens have their own insulation.
Jack

 

[Baker Farm]

The problem with having interior walls in a chickens coop, is that you provide a secure hidden place for mice and/or other pests to live. You don't really need to add any insulation, the chickens have their own insulation.
Jack

I like this answer because It keeps my build costs down...