Insulating a coop, necessary or busy work?

[horsewishr]

Pat, I was thinking the same thing. An air-tight coop will get damp with the moisture from the chickens' respirations. My hen house is 8x12, with 4 chickens inside. I often leave a leeward window ajar, because otherwise I see frozen condensation in the windows. Dampness in the cold would be REALLY uncomfortable.

Edited to add: my coop is insulated on the north and west walls, and the ceiling. I think we'll insulate the rest this summer. I think insulation will help it stay cooler in the summer, too (which is as much of a problem as the cold).

 

[lilshadow]

Just an after thought to help you cut down on cost. If you have a lowes store in your area, they sell cull lumber, plywood, and sheet rock(drywall), at discounted prices. Here at my store I can get that stuff for 90 percent off which is a heck of a good deal. My coop cost me less than a 100 dollars to make because I used those materials. My coop is fully insulated roof and all, and sheet rocked. I have two windows, a slanted roof with ventilation at the top. I would say any home improvement store would have that type of stuff if you ask. Just an idea.

 

[tororider]

I have never thought to ask for that kind of material. Did you just ask a sales associate or did you have to ask for a manager. I would have no qualms doing that. I have some gift cards to Home Depot so if I could get the culled material I could probably get this done with minimal impact to my pocket book.

I am planning on having ventilation. I just meant by tight that it would not be drafty. I will have ventilation in my sloped roof, probably into the covered part of the run so that it doesn't bring wind in. I am loving all the input.

 

[Katy]

I guess I insulate on the outside.....My husband sits big round bales on the north side of my coop for me to help break the wind in the winter. We have a cow herd so I've got easy access to bales, but you could also use small square bales which would be easier to use if you don't have a tractor to move the big ones.

 

[tororider]

I have a tractor out at our hobby farm, but the coop/run will be at our house in the urban burbs, so I am trying to make it as inconspicuous as possible. Unfortunately that means the hay bales are out. When we move out to the "farm" that will work though.

 

[lilshadow]

Quote:
Lowes has a commercial sells desk, I am sure home depot does to..like where building materials are. Ask those guys there, and then you could ask the manager. I do it at lowes.

 

[TreeFever]

My dad was a contractor and for our coop, we wrapped it in Tyvek home wrap. It's a breathable sort of plastic sheet that homebuilders use. it keeps heat in in the winter and heat out in summer.
its equivalent to a good amount of insulation anyway 0.0
If you dont wanna have to buy a massive roll, im sure you could get some scraps somewhere^^

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I am in W PA

I have 2 heat bulbs in my light sockets & I got hit with frost bite so bad I thought they had some disease!


They will put the energy into staying warm or laying eggs!

 

[jenlynn4]

It does get quite cold here in pa. My birds are in a coop now that is not insulated and I keep a window open all year round and they are fine. I think as long as it is draft free you should be just fine. But I now that I read this thread I may just insulate the new coop for the birds comfort. Thanks for all the good info. Now we just have to get spring here so we can all start to build. LOL JEN

 

[Sandrachx]

my coop has a window on the east and west side, both of which can be opened. we built the walls of the coop with some T11 which we dumpster dived for at a building site - it's 3/8" thick. i am also in se michigan and have been concerned about the cold, but when i go in the coop with them, it seems pretty comfortable (no drafts, and me in a coat...). this week i noticed the ammonia smell mentioned in a recent post. i had just cleaned out appr. 80% of the ground litter and all of the nest boxes, replacing with fresh straw and shavings 1 week ago.

can i open the windows a crack to air out the coop? the roosting poles and poop collection board are above the windows.