Easy suggestions to insulate coop

[PhillyDelcoChix]

We’re nearing the end of our coop and run construction... and now I’m questioning everything before I finally add the roof, hatch door, and nesting box doors.
I began to think about insulating the inside of the coop as I’ve been reading it works as well keeping it warm in winter as it does keep cool in the summer. Being located in the south eastern part of Pennsylvania, we get both cold winters (below freezing) and hot summers (above 100).
So my question is... what’s the easiest and least expensive way of insulating the inside of the coop?
I would really like to avoid cutting anymore plywood if I can...
Thanks for reading! 🏚

 

[aart]

So my question is... what’s the easiest and least expensive way of insulating the inside of the coop?

Easiest is....don't bother.
Maybe the roof for the heat, but otherwise just a good place for pests to take up residence.
You would have to cover wall insulation so the birds don't eat the insulation.
What does your coop look like...do you have a build thread going??

 

[PhillyDelcoChix]

Easiest is....don't bother.
Maybe the roof for the heat, but otherwise just a good place for pests to take up residence.
You would have to cover wall insulation so the birds don't eat the insulation.
What does your coop look like...do you have a build thread going??

Very good point, I hadn’t thought of that. Give the amount of voles we have making their homes in our hoophouse, I suppose the coop would be another home for vermin!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I'm substantially north of you. Your chickens will be fine without insulation but not without enough ventilation. Crack it open. Think still, dry air. Not warm air. For summer months make a window you can close that creates a cross breeze. We prop open our nest boxes with a piece of 2x4 to do that.

My coops walls and roof are nothing but plywood screwed onto 2x4s. Never had a problem except a tiny bit of frostbitten comb tips on extra wet and cold years. Not even bad enough to have permanently damaged the combs. Even down to -45*F windchill or -15 actual temp.

 

[Criticalicious]

For the roof if you can add foil insulation to reflect heat, that could be useful (as long as chickens can't reach it to eat it).

 

[PhillyDelcoChix]

Easiest is....don't bother.
Maybe the roof for the heat, but otherwise just a good place for pests to take up residence.
You would have to cover wall insulation so the birds don't eat the insulation.
What does your coop look like...do you have a build thread going??

Here are some pics of my very unfished, very ugly, recycled/upcycled, nearly free pallet chicken coop... needs to be completed, and painted.
My kids were convinced we were building them a play pirate ship!
Many mistakes were made... but it was my first ever build, and I was determined to make it work. ☺

 

[PhillyDelcoChix]

I'm substantially north of you. Your chickens will be fine without insulation but not without enough ventilation. Crack it open. Think still, dry air. Not warm air. For summer months make a window you can close that creates a cross breeze. We prop open our nest boxes with a piece of 2x4 to do that.

My coops walls and roof are nothing but plywood screwed onto 2x4s. Never had a problem except a tiny bit of frostbitten comb tips on extra wet and cold years. Not even bad enough to have permanently damaged the combs. Even down to -45*F windchill or -15 actual temp.

Good to know! I forgot about the damn windows. Luckily I have some extra hinges.
Thanks for the tips!!

 

[jreardon1918]

Another "vote" for no insulation needed. Here in south east mass we have none. A ridge vent in the roof, gable vents, two always open windows and the pop door open. They are thriving. There are pictures in my coop article. The lowest temp we have had was -10 F. That was last winter. Summer, by night time the temp in the coop is same as outdoors. They are going to do great.

 

[aart]

Here are some pics of my very unfished, very ugly, recycled/upcycled, nearly free pallet chicken coop... needs to be completed, and painted.
My kids were convinced we were building them a play pirate ship!
Many mistakes were made... but it was my first ever build, and I was determined to make it work. ☺

OK, you said you didn't want to cut any more plywood, but I see no plywood there?
What are you going to do for a roof?

 

[Folly's place]

It's cute! BUT, I don't see any framing for a roof, for support, slope, and snow load. More pictures?
Mary