Do I need to insulate new coop?

[Mayberry Chicken Shack]

I live in the foothills of N.C. and have started a new coop I was wondering if I need to insulate the coop or not, the coop will not get much shade but will have plenty of ventilation.

 

[CrazyChickensEverwhere]

Somewhat depends of the chickens, but your coop does not have to be insulated.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Well it would keep it cooler in the summers, but I have seen many just fence off a partial wall and not insulate. You guys don't get too cold over there in the winter months I'm guessing. I really wouldn't think you would need to at all.

 

[Mayberry Chicken Shack]

I have 8 RIR S

 

[bryan99705]

No, it would be an unnecessary expence (more $ for chickens

) just be sure the coop is super well ventilated in the summer and provides dry, draft free ventilated shelter in the bad weather. Your temps are not an issue and chicken handle cool weather far better than they do heat.

 

[kichohana]

I'm in NC too and do not have an insulated coop. I worried about them as this was their (and my) first winter. All was fine. Their coop is snug with no drafts in the winter. They stayed warm in their little feather and down coats - even did just fine with the bit of snow we had this year. My coop is 2x4 construction with 5/8 osb siding, covered with vinyl siding to match out house. No insulation except a few places where I sprayed in the foam stuff because there were too many crevices for wasps to make nests in.

See my coop and build on my page.

 

[patandchickens]

In NC? I wouldn't, unless you're in the mts and think for some reason you'll be heating the coop. (Tho you shouldn't need to do that either).

Free air flow (i.e. having most of one or more sides of the coop be all- or mostly-mesh) will keep the coop cool in summertime over a broader range of situations than insulation will. There are a few very specific sets of circumstances in which insulation CAN help with coolth but really IMO you are generally better off with a semi open air type coop, it will give you "outdoors in the shade" temperatures and you're not going to do much bettter than that by most other means, especially by late afternoon.

Of course you CAN insulate, with a properly designed/operated coop it doesn't hurt (altho make sure your carpentry is TIGHT so the insulation doesn't become a rodent farm), it's just that I don't see a lot of point in it in your climate. (I lived in Durham NC for six years, so do have some idea

)

Good luck, have fun,

Pat