Insulating my chicken yard?

[SerendipityMama]

I was totally new to raising chickens when I got my chicks in March and April. I've learned a lot since, especially in how much it costs to keep chickens! I thought getting a coop would be good - no problem. Well, wait, they can't free range as we have a very large garden (over 80 tomato plants in this year, peppers, squash, etc). So, with landscape timbers for uprights and 2x2 woven wire (like horse fence) we built an 18'x25' chicken yard, covered overhead with bird netting. I have two coops inside, the low one will have a loft/roof built on it, the first is 6' tall, both are between 6-7' long. Here's my question: what do I need to insulate this for winter? I've considered wrapping the outside perimeter with plastic, leaving the top netting in place. My chickens have just started laying too!

 

[The Chicken-Boy]

In VA a roof and sides (tarp is best) is sufficient. Make sure there is no drafts but that there is adicwitt ventilation. I'd need more info (what state do you live in etc.).

Hope this helps! (And you might want to check out my blog (below).

 

[SerendipityMama]

We are in Missouri - are you saying tarp around the 18x25' yard? That was my thought, but probably with greenhouse plastic

 

[The Chicken-Boy]

Yes! If they aren't in the elements chickens can be ok down to 0 degrees.

 

[The Chicken-Boy]

If you can keep the snow out it should be ok.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Chickens are OK down to -15F, their still OK at lower temps but don't come out into the run. But then those are the temps where no animal is moving about and sometimes neither is your car. Insulation is not needed, they are birds and handle cold far better than extreme heat. You could wrap the run in plastic but you probably already have a tarp or two lying around and that's all you need. I use those ball and bungie loop straps through tarp grommets and afix to prevailing wind corner or sides. With a wind break and shoveled snow your birds will be out in the run every day but the coldest mornings. I toss a few handfuls of sunflower to them in coop when opening at 6am on the 4 or so mornings I know they are waiting for it to get to -15 or -10F to come out. Big fan of sunflower in winter as treat due to it's high fat content that is readily converted to energy and it also contains 14% protein so an excellent treat/supplement. I also toss down a thin layer of mulch hay (inexpensive) when the run gets icey.

My winter check list:

Tarp for prevailing wind corner.

Bag of black oil sunflower seed.

Bale of mulch hay.

Snow shovel or run with roof.

Heater for metal water fountain or heated dog bowl or...

Climate zone of 3 here in the North East Kingdom of Vermont.

 

[SerendipityMama]

Wow, thanks so much! Maybe I can run a tarp "roof" high to low to keep snow out of at least one end of the pen. In the cold I don't think 12 chickens (4 of them banties) would need as much room?

 

[aart]

Just make sure that tarp can handle the snow load and/or or keep it cleared off.

Space and Ventilation are often more important in winter as they are in summer.