Insulated coop get too hot in Summer?

[teach1rusl]

I'm in southern Indiana. Here's what insulation did for me: I have windows; so in the winter the sun would heat the inside up nicely, and the insulation allowed that heat to stay inside longer into the night. The inside stayed about 10 degrees warmer than outdoor temps. In the summer, it allowed the overnight cooling to be maintained longer throughout the day. I'm kicking myself that we did not plan for more ventilation openings (because they can always be closed off during winter cold)...but the insulation did help in our case. We use window fans as well.

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

Quote:
What kind of heater do you have?

Hrrm, wall mounted one, that's DH's area of the chooks. I'll post the exact name when he sends it to me.

http://www.shopthecoop.com/mm5/merc...re_Code=STC&Product_Code=1FP&Category_Code=He That's the one, we've got several, but they work and are safe.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Only if it's badly designed.

I also plan to put two fans with vent openings in both gabled ends and windows (plenty of ventilation). Should I not insulate my coop or will insulation be fine in the summer time?

I would suggest reconsidering your plans to rely on fan ventilation. This will NOT be "plenty of" ventilation, what you want is at least one wall to be all or mostly mesh. Fans are a fire hazard (unless you spend a whole lot extra money) and when the fan conks out b/c you're having a power outage, then what? Chickens SERIOUSLY do not tolerate heat well.

There is honestly no reason to need a fan, with all its disadvantages, when plain ol' large amounts of passive ventilation actually work *better* anyhow

I do not frankly see much point in your insulating, since you do not have cold winters; but if you were going to, IF you have sufficient ventilation (which fans would not be) then no it would not likely be a summertime problem.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[laboroflove]

I have thought about building another hen house for my chickens as well (with insulation). Right now they are in an old stall with some nests in it. No insulation. It stays open all year so they can come and go as they please (which is one thing I want to also change). I would like to have a coop as well not just a hen house. All my chickens have handled the weather well with no fan or heater or insulation, but I do understand you wanting your birds comfy. I just try and buy chickens for what handles the climate that I live in rather than spending the extra money (that "I" don't have) on all the extra building, and other birds. BTW I am in GA and get REALLY hot and humid in the summer.

I would insulate at least the roof thought if you are going with tin, but like I said, my chickens have done fine. They also have a non-insulated tin roof. Have fun with your project!

 

[lolita117]

Quote:
Only if it's badly designed.

I also plan to put two fans with vent openings in both gabled ends and windows (plenty of ventilation). Should I not insulate my coop or will insulation be fine in the summer time?

I would suggest reconsidering your plans to rely on fan ventilation. This will NOT be "plenty of" ventilation, what you want is at least one wall to be all or mostly mesh. Fans are a fire hazard (unless you spend a whole lot extra money) and when the fan conks out b/c you're having a power outage, then what? Chickens SERIOUSLY do not tolerate heat well.

There is honestly no reason to need a fan, with all its disadvantages, when plain ol' large amounts of passive ventilation actually work *better* anyhow

I do not frankly see much point in your insulating, since you do not have cold winters; but if you were going to, IF you have sufficient ventilation (which fans would not be) then no it would not likely be a summertime problem.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

But we do have cold winters, I thought I mentioned that. The whole months of December and January we didn't even get above freezing this year. And the only time I would think the electricity would go out if is during a thunderstorm, which it wouldn't be hot then, or during the a winter storm. I would think I whole mesh wall, with no way of sealing it up when it is cold, would be kind of a bad idea, at least for where I live. I think I will stick with fan ventilation in the gables along with plently of large windows. Thanks for the input.

 

[Peck Johnson]

Insulation will definitely help keep it cooler in hot weather. The fans are crucial for ventilation.

I would be most concerned about the metal roof creating excessive heat. If it is well shaded as you indicated then that should not be a problem

There are a few considerations concerning mold and moisture. What type of insulation were you planning to use? Are you going to use plywood on both sides of the insulation?

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
That's not cold by chicken standards though. Certainly not to the point of even remotely *needing* to insulate. I mean, if you WANT to insulate, fine, far be it from me to talk anyone out of it

but it is totally 100% an *optional* thing.

And the only time I would think the electricity would go out if is during a thunderstorm, which it wouldn't be hot then

Or when there is a prolonged outage AFTER storms... which usually involves hot weather...

I would think I whole mesh wall, with no way of sealing it up when it is cold, would be kind of a bad idea, at least for where I live.

Well, lots and lots of people use it quite successfully and it demonstrably works quite well. You cover the mesh wall with a bolt-on panel when it gets cold... if you want (alternatively you design the coop to be narrow and deep so you can leave one end open no matter how cold it gets).

If you don't *want* to do it, fine, but it is not like it hasn't got a proven track record in your area

(Please understand that I lived in NC and in SW Ohio for a good while, I am not unfamiliar with American weather patterns

)

Quote:
Sorry, but this is factually incorrect on both counts. Insulation will not do one blessed thing to keep the coop cool unless you have a source of active "coolth production" in there e.g. air conditioner or are shutting the coop up essentially-airtight during the day. (With the exception that you are quite right you DO want to insulate highly heat-radiating sheet metal exposed to lotsa sun, e.g. the roof -- I missed that in the original post, and yes, THAT would for sure be worth insulating)

And fans are in no way shape or form "crucial" for ventilation. Crucial means cannot do without. Very few people have fan-ventilated coops, yet most people do fine that way. Well-designed ones coops (i.e lots of passive ventilation) have NO problem staying well-ventilated and staying no hotter than the outdoor shade temperature, which after all is the best you can ever hope to do without some "active coolth" such as a/c.

Pat​

 

[AlabamaChickenLady]

Lolita 117 ~ I'm in Alabama and I've considered insulating our coop to keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. We used a digital heater part of the winter. That was expensive!!

You have some great suggestions on here. I would absolutely insulate if that is an option for you.

Don't be discouraged by the nay sayers or argumentative people on here.

You should post up pics of your progress and results from the insulation when your done.

 

[lolita117]

Quote:
Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. I just want what's best for my chickies to keep them producing as many eggs as possible, even through-out the winter. So far I only have 6 (straight-run; hopefully I have some girls, lol). But when the time and $ comes I do plan to get 25 from a hatchery. I want to do my coop right the first time, so that I'm not regretting not having done something and then spending more money to do it later. Thanks again for your reply.