Insulating and heating coop

[SophiaLinn]

If I insulate my coop does it also need to be heated for winter? Or does just the insulation itself keep the coop warm? Also, if you use supplemental light to help them keep laying, do you put it in the coop, the run, or both? Thanks, about to have my first flock soon!

 

[DobieLover]

If I insulate my coop does it also need to be heated for winter? Or does just the insulation itself keep the coop warm? Also, if you use supplemental light to help them keep laying, do you put it in the coop, the run, or both? Thanks, about to have my first flock soon!

Where are you located?
Insulation is only recommended in the most extreme cold.
The same applies to supplemental heat.
To keep chickens warm in the winter, they need to be dry with a LOT of ventilation.
I don't use supplemental lighting either as egg laying takes a lot of energy and puts a lot of demand on the hens body. I'd much rather she take a needed and deserved break during winter to replenish herself and grow her new plumage when she molts.

 

[SophiaLinn]

I'm in Massachusetts, we can have some pretty cold days and especially nights. Also, good to know about the lighting and giving them a break!

 

[DobieLover]

I'm in Massachusetts, we can have some pretty cold days and especially nights. Also, good to know about the lighting and giving them a break!

You don't need insulation or supplemental heat.
Target 4 sq ft of floor space per bird in the coop, 12 to 15 in the run. 10 to 12 inches of roost space per bird. Try for a minimum of 10% of your floor space in equivalent ventilation.

 

[SophiaLinn]

Thank you for the tips!

 

[FLXChicken]

Hi @SophiaLinn - we are in Upstate NY and are in the process of building our coop.

We made the decision to insulate the coop because of frigid wind. Our flat property (pretty much no trees) is situated such that we have pretty much a constant wind coming from the west - in Winter, it's miserable. (That ol' Western NY wind comes through our Finger Lakes neighborhood!) We located the coop in a section where there are a few trees to provide a bit of shelter (it's not much), but again, the wind is wicked.

We do not plan to heat the coop come winter, however. (We read in one expert's book that "heat in a coop is usually for the human's peace of mind...") But we do believe we have made the good choice with the insulation. The weather here today was a sudden snowstorm and constant blowing wind. Inside the coop there was not a leaky breeze. (We closed the vents to test; there will also be two windows for additional ventilation in summer.)

 

[SophiaLinn]

Thank you!