How's insulation for plastic coops?

[citychicks99]

I'm considering repurposing a resin shed into a chicken coop after this summer's battle with mites, lice and SLM! Just wondering what the insulation is like for those with plastic coops? Would a metal shed be better? I'm open to any material that will make it easy to clean from mites. My bf also mentioned we could make a coop out of shou sugi ban (a Japanese technique that chars wood to preserve it and is naturally resistant against bugs and the weather) but it seems like a lot of work so just weighing my options.

The weather here tends to be pretty tame, around 60-70s degree F. It can rain quite a bit and hover around 50 degrees and gets down to as low as just below freezing and as high as 90+ degrees but the extreme days usually don't last long. I'm in the Pacific Northwest for those wondering.

 

[Sally PB]

You do not need to insulate a coop. Here in Michigan we can get close to/below zero F. Last winter, we had a couple to stretches of single digit temps. My coop is not insulated, and I had no issues with frostbite.

If the chickens can get to the insulation, they will peck at it/eat it. (For some reason, they think styrofoam is tasty.) If you enclose the insulation, you have made an excellent spot for mice or rats to make nests.

Any coop needs good ventilation, summer and winter.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree with @Sally PB. Insulating a coop is counterproductive. Especially true in your climate. Your temperatures are in the sweet spot for most chickens. Money spent for insulation would be better spent to make the housing larger and windows bigger. Unless one plans on heating a coop, insulation will only negligibly modify internal temperature. Think about it. On the coldest night of the year, by 4 or 5 am, internal temperature will be very close to ambient temperature without heating the building. Since chickens go to sleep wearing their winter coat, they don't need the heat. In order for insulation or heat, from whatever source, to have an impact, you would have to close up the coop preventing the birds from getting the fresh air and oxygen they need for their optimal health.

 

[citychicks99]

You do not need to insulate a coop. Here in Michigan we can get close to/below zero F. Last winter, we had a couple to stretches of single digit temps. My coop is not insulated, and I had no issues with frostbite.

If the chickens can get to the insulation, they will peck at it/eat it. (For some reason, they think styrofoam is tasty.) If you enclose the insulation, you have made an excellent spot for mice or rats to make nests.

Any coop needs good ventilation, summer and winter.

I think I miswrote my thread title. I meant to ask if any coop material would be too cold or too hot, like plastic or metal.

 

[Sally PB]

Ah! That makes more sense.

Any material can get too hot in the summer. Can you put the coop in a shaded area?

For too cold, a danger here is condensation collecting on the roof and dripping down on the chickens. I would be more worried about condensation dripping off a metal or plastic roof than a wood one.

For both hot and cold, good ventilation is a must. It's obvious why in the summer. In the winter, it's to carry their moist breath and the ammonia fumes from their poop out. Both heat and ammonia rise, so you want the ventilation to be above their heads when they're on the roost at night.

 

[citychicks99]

Ah! That makes more sense.

Any material can get too hot in the summer. Can you put the coop in a shaded area?

For too cold, a danger here is condensation collecting on the roof and dripping down on the chickens. I would be more worried about condensation dripping off a metal or plastic roof than a wood one.

For both hot and cold, good ventilation is a must. It's obvious why in the summer. In the winter, it's to carry their moist breath and the ammonia fumes from their poop out. Both heat and ammonia rise, so you want the ventilation to be above their heads when they're on the roost at night.

We actually just cut down all our brush so there isn't any area big enough to put an entire coop in the shade. Ah, I didn't even think about condensation! Something to think about. Thanks!