insolation or no? from ontario here!

[animals1981]

Do you think its a good idea to add insolation to my new bird shed/loft or no? Winters get -20 here sometimes but I still have not lost a pigeon or any other bird to the cold because the wind is usually well bloocked out

BUt i wonder maybe they would be more comfortable with insolation


Also my new shed is being built off the ground on a wood deck I was wondering should i just use the deck as flooring or something else? deck is totally sealed and nothing will get through not even a mouse!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Just wanted to say

as I haven't responded to any of your posts yet!

As far as insulation, if you can afford it, I would go for it. You're right in that the birds would be more comfortable. They might also use less energy heating their bodies, which means they might need to eat less. Possibly, in the long run this would save you some money on feed costs.

 

[animals1981]

thanks so much
how about the flooring? would the wood deck be good enough?

Do u know what i should cover the insolation with?

 

[patandchickens]

Well, obviously you don't NEED need it, if you know what I mean, since your birds have been ok in past winters... but I completely agree with The Chicken Lady that if you ever felt motivated to insulate it would undoubtedly be an improvement in their quality of life. If nothing else, insulation (= less heat loss) allows you to ventilate more, which improves air quality and health.

Use whatever you like/have/afford/find/whatever... cover it with anything peck-proof, such as thin plywood or the fake panelling people remove from 1970's rec rooms when remodelling

Actually, for something rigid and smooth like foamboard, you only need to cover it where it's accessible to birds -- up on the ceiling or high on the walls, they can't GET to peck at it so you could leave it exposed if you had to. (Covering is better, though).

Good luck and have fun,

Pat

 

[StPaulieGirls]

Hey there,

Speaking as a Minnesotan who winged it (no pun intended) through last winter with no insulation, I'd advise you to do whatever you can afford.

We get -20 pretty reliably every winter and the birds got frostbite. I don't want them in my basement again, so we're insulating walls, floor and ceiling.

Hope we're all cozy this winter!

- KM