coop insulation??

[mgalll]

I live way up in northeat PA in theendlessmtn region, winters are cold, frequently dipping into single digits and sub zero at times. should I haev insulated my coop. some around here have told me the chicks will be fine, they never insulated their coops

 

[spook]

I'm over here in Maine and no, I would not recommend insulating as it will hold in the humidity from the feces and amonia which will do more harm to your birds then low temps.
Using the deep litter method will help insulate and the action of the composting litter will help out.
On cold days like you mention I don't let my girls out, they have the option, but wind chill and weather are the deciders.
Also, for your girls sake, make sure the roost is large enough so that they can bring their breast and feathers down over their middle toe.
Ducks, Geese and Turkey's are fine- don't know why, but a hen will freeze her toes, also if she stays out of the coop to long. So just be aware.

Oh, I do put card board on the ceiling to "insulate". We do have tarpaper around the back side of the coop that is in a shed, and shingles on the outside. So in a way it is insulated- at least the large areas of breeze is stopped.

Good luck!

 

[citygirl]

We have 3 coops and they are all insulated. I'm in Ohio and while we don't get much snow it gets very cold and very hot here. The insulation helps. We have good ventilation as well. Good luck with your chicks.

 

[patandchickens]

Insulation DOES NOT HOLD IN HUMIDITY. At all.

Assuming you have sensibly-chosen breeds, it is optional whether to insulate, but there is no downside at all except for the additional materials (can usually be scrounged if you prefer) and work. Insulation will make the coop easier to manage (in particular, depending on the coop you may be able to have more ventilation open and thus better air quality without undue coldness) and more pleasant for the chickens.

Exception: bare metal or plastic roofs *need* to be insulated on the undersides in your climate, otherwise they will become condensation farms and undo all the good work of your ventilation. (All coops need ventilation, yes even in the winter)

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[LynneP]

Pat is SO right!

This is what we did and our climate is very similar to hers, and yours-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-Coop_Insulation

 

[ducks4you]

Pat, thanks for bringing that up. I was considering a plastic roof-saw it at Lowe's, all recycled materials--IF I have to replace the current asphalt roofing. It looks okay, but who knows what will happen when I try to take it off!

 

[mgalll]

wow, what a great site, thanks to everyone for the great info, this chic thing has got me hooked, laots to learn, built an 8x8 coop, probably bigger than I need but it pretty cool, no insulation but it is well built with ventilation that can be open and closed during winter, thanks again