Coop Insulation

[6567]

I am building a coop that's 6'Wx8'Lx8'H and i was going to the exterior in a true board and batten. Do i need to insulate the coop. I live in NE PA

 

[U_Stormcrow]

While I live in much warmer climate, fellow BYCers from that area of the country overwhelmingly do NOT use insulation in the coops. Draft free ventilation, yes - and plenty of it. But not insulation.

 

[DobieLover]

I am building a coop that's 6'Wx8'Lx8'H and i was going to the exterior in a true board and batten. Do i need to insulate the coop. I live in NE PA

I live well north of you. My coop is not insulated and it does not need to be. What you do need is to have lots of ventilation to keep the coop as dry as possible so the chickens can keep themselves warm.

 

[saysfaa]

With the possible exception of a thin layer underneath a metal roof, no insulation is needed in your climate or quite a bit further north from you. It has no benefit and would have added cost, maintenance, and given rodents a place to hide.

I'm in the upper midwest, so am colder and snowier than you are. I have a true board and batten also. The side door in both pictures has a bar screwed to the rafter ends to hold it open all the time. With all the other sides solid in the winter, they get lots of fresh air but no drafts. Their down coats keep them warm.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

You've gotten good advice so far from people better suited to give it than this hot-climate person.

But I thought I'd clarify a couple points already made.

First, this is my article on coop ventilation: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/ It will show you how to achieve excellent airflow without any drafts blowing on the birds. The goal is to have the temperature and humidity the same inside as outside but to protect the birds from any breeze strong enough to ruffle their feathers.

Second, one of the major downsides of insulation in a chicken coop is that it provides a grade A, cozy, secure home for rodent pests.

Third, being in a location that's prone to weather that's both wet and cold, if you use metal roofing -- which has many advantages including durability and ease of installation -- you could have a condensation problem.

While providing a good flow of air under the roof is always good and is adequate to prevent condensation on metal in a mild climate, if you choose metal roofing you will want to create a thermal break either by installing it over plywood instead of on purlins or using some kind of insulation under the roof -- rigid foam board being popular for such applications.

Just beware of putting any kind of foam anywhere chickens can reach it. For some reason known only to the chickens themselves, they LOVE to eat styrofoam.