Insulating A Coop in North Carolina

[ECBW]

Thank you so much for all the valuable information. I will have to re-think this coop situation and figure out what works best for me. I don't have any city or neighborhood requirements, but I would still like to it look pleasing to the eye. Love this website it is full of wonderful information. I have been wanting chickens ever since we visited a Fitzgerald, GA which has free roaming chickens right in the downtown area. It was pretty funny to watch the chickens roaming down the sidewalks and crossing the street.Thanks again, Gail.

Roaming city chickens ! Much better than pigeons. But the chickens probably wont survive the NYC cabs.

My flock... no insulation, no heat. Controlled ventilation is essential.

 

[fuquay nc girl]

Dave, let me ask you a question. How do you keep your chickens cool during the hot humid summers? Do you have a 3 or 4 sided coop? I'm thinking maybe the fall might be the best time to start raising my chickens? Gail

 

[daver]

Dave, let me ask you a question. How do you keep your chickens cool during the hot humid summers? Do you have a 3 or 4 sided coop? I'm thinking maybe the fall might be the best time to start raising my chickens? Gail

I use a box fan set up at one end of the run. The birds would hang out in front of it being shaded by the raised coop. Lots of fresh water of course. And I got watermelon and cantaloupe culls from a neighbor who couldn't sell them. I chilled the melons and put them out for them.

The coop is 4 sided, one window away from the prevailing wind. The wind here whips down our road for some reason. Otherwise well ventilated up top. If there is any issue I can cut out another. Haven't had the need yet.

Lessons learned? Don't overthink, the birds are durable if not just down right tough. Provide lots of shade. And plan on unwanted visitors.

We got our day olds on 1 April, all were laying the first week of October. I would prefer to start in the spring. Just saying.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[jdeoliveira74]

I am in wilmington nc and when i started building my coop I Insulated the floor and the more I read and talked to people they said its not necessary. I went to a breeder to pick up some chicks and there coop was open it had metal sides and mesh top with a roof to keep sun off and they were fine healthy pretty birds. My coop is in the shade under a nice oak tree so hoping they stay cool this summer. Good luck on your build!

 

[3ChickensinNC]

I am in wilmington nc and when i started building my coop I Insulated the floor and the more I read and talked to people they said its not necessary.  I went to a breeder to pick up some chicks and there coop was open it had metal sides and mesh top with a roof to keep sun off and they were fine healthy pretty birds.  My coop is in the shade under a nice oak tree so hoping they stay cool this summer.  Good luck on your build!

mi
I just wanted.to say "hi ". I am in Wilmington as well.

 

[jdeoliveira74]

hey

 

[fuquay nc girl]

Thank all of you for your helpful comments. Dave, you are right, it's best not to over think the situation. As far as predators go, snakes are my worst worry. I can protect them from everything else. My plans are to use 1/4 inch hardware cloth all the way around to hopefully keep the snakes out. We tend to have black and garter snakes around here. At least that's all I've seen.