Insulating coop in a cold winter area. Yea or Nay?

[Badger Farm]

We live in NW Wisconsin, where we had over 70” of snow this winter (it’s still there, btw). With winter temps dropping to -30F air temp, we’re considering insulating our coop. The insulation would, of course, be covered with wood sheeting. Anyone have experience with this? Looking for advice and what worked/what didn’t to keep your birds safe and warm in the winter. Thanks!!

 

[aart]

We haven’t built it yet, but we’re going to build the Third Coast Craft coop and run

I would suggest a larger walk in coop, with large roof overhangs and soffit venting.
Insulation does next to nothing with good ventilation(which is essential).
It also can be a perfect place for mice and rats to live.
Might visit some state threads like:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=245700
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=72771&p=1

....and check out this excellent article:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[Ted Brown]

1. I would never insulate a coop.

• Highly probable that you will end up with mice (rats?) living in the insulation; they will destroy it, add copious amount of urine and feces and help themselves to any food that you have in the coop.
• Given the ventilation requirements for chickens you are spending money for insulation and inside wall covering that will do nothing, the temperature inside will track the absolute temperature outside within very few degrees.
• Spend the extra money on a larger walk in coop.

2. I would build a coop that is designed for cold weather climates. I have a 10' by 16' Woods; this is an example of an open air design the front of which is 1/2' hardware cloth. Average winter temperature is -15C/5F with short periods as low as -30C/-22F, sometimes colder, I never add heat, this is my 4th winter, very occasional frost bite on comb and waddles.

3. Birds do not need to be what humans consider to be "warm", I would select cold tolerant birds (small combs and waddles), I have Chanteclers and Barred Rocks and make sure they are properly fed with higher protein foods.

4. I use deep bedding in the coop with dropping boards under the roosts and deep litter in a covered (steel roof) run. Pop door is always open (make sure your coop/run are predator proof!!).

 

[Ridgerunner]

Anyone have experience with this? Looking for advice and what worked/what didn’t to keep your birds safe and warm in the winter. Thanks!!

I have no experience with chickens in those temperatures but the guy that wrote this article does.

Cold Weather Poultry Housing and Care | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens

I've seen the difference a well insulated building makes in cold weather, even with good ventilation. But those have been on the ground, not elevated like that. The ground can act like a thermal mass and provide heat in cold snaps. That's a different dynamic than your elevated building.

The way I read his article, once the temperature gets below -20 F you need to take precautions. You might get something out of that article.

 

[Nodakj]

I went withthe 3rd coast blueprint. I even went longer. I adapted my coop to have two doors. It is insulated and i am in Mn.

 

[Percheron chick]

I live in a 5b zone. Not as miserable winter lows but still get negative temp for a bit.
House I live in now came with an insulated coop. Every time I walked in the coop, I could smell mouse pee. Started tearing down one wall to expand the coop and the fiberglass insulation was just one huge mouse nest. Mouse poop everywhere.
Never again.

 

[sybonbon]

We live in NW Wisconsin, where we had over 70” of snow this winter (it’s still there, btw). With winter temps dropping to -30F air temp, we’re considering insulating our coop. The insulation would, of course, be covered with wood sheeting. Anyone have experience with this? Looking for advice and what worked/what didn’t to keep your birds safe and warm in the winter. Thanks!!

If you use the deep straw method for the flooring, it gives the chickens a place to emerge themselves. I wouldn't insulate too much. Moisture builds up in the coop which is not good for breathing or getting frostbite on the combs. If you didn't get your chickens yet, there's still time to pick breeds with small combs.

 

[EagleEyes]

I second aarts suggestion: A walk in coop has Lots of advantages!
but to answer your question, If I were building a coop from scratch, I'd insulate it.
Sandwiching insulation between the walls in the coop that you are planning to build seems to be a good idea.

 

[Nodakj]

I went withthe 3rd coast blueprint. I even went longer. I adapted my coop to have two doors. It is insulated and i am in Mn. View attachment 3442498

 

[Saveria]

Here is a thread from earlier this week talking about a similar topic, maybe you would find some of that helpful?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/please-help-me-cold-climate.1569770/