Ice house to coop help w/ideas

[TalkALittle]

Ok thanks!!
But won't the heat just go out the windows?

Yes, but it will take the moisture and ammonia that the the birds' respiration and poop create with it. You want some air exchange and the movement of warm air up and out will give it to you. A well-ventilated coop that is dry and draft-free (different from ventilation) will allow the birds to keep themselves warm.

If you don't mind my asking, why did your first coop burn down?

 

[TalkALittle]

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If I had this coop I'd place roosts along the back wall and keep the side windows open (from the top) for much of the year. In warm weather I'd have them all open. Is the building vented at the eaves or are the eaves capped? How about the roof ridge? At the peaks?

 

[TalkALittle]

And I wouldn't bother with insulation. Even in Minnesota. Unless you have some ornamentals that need to live in a climate controlled environment, the insulation will cause you more bother than good. Mice will certainly take up residence in the walls.

 

[aart]

Quote:

And I wouldn't bother with insulation. Even in Minnesota. Unless you have some ornamentals that need to live in a climate controlled environment, the insulation will cause you more bother than good. Mice will certainly take up residence in the walls.

Ditto bof of dos^^^^


Here's some good info to begin understanding ventilation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts
This is a great video, tho the roost in that coop is way to close to ceiling.

 

[farmgirllvo]

I opened the windows the whole way to get the smell out this morning. I'm thinking I'll leave them half open all winter?

 

[farmgirllvo]

 

[farmgirllvo]

 

[farmgirllvo]

 

[aart]

I opened the windows the whole way to get the smell out this morning. I'm thinking I'll leave them half open all winter?

How many birds in there?
Do those windows open from the top too?

 

[farmgirllvo]

There are 22 birds in the coop. And we are going to put a doggy door at the back leading out to a 8 by 12 runner. Hopefully tonight.

I don't think the windows open from the top, but I will check when I get home on Thursday.

There is a vent right above the door on the outside.

So you all really think I won't need insolation? What if we just do the walls? I'd like to keep it warm enough in there that I can keep roosting as just bars in the coop all winter long. Is that logical?

I put a big pile of woodchips for bedding down and than put scratch grains in the chips for the chickens to dig thru and spread out. They were clucking happily when I left