Insulating my coop?

[arenner]

I live in West Central MN and recently got approved to have chickens in my city. I am starting construction of my coop in the next few days and I'm curious if I need to insulate my 4x4 coop since temps in winter can reach -20°. I am planning on having a heat source to keep the water from freezing but I am wondering I need to go as far as insulating the entire coop. Any suggestions?

 

[jetdog]

I wouldn't insulate it,I'm in the north east and this winter was the coldest on record and mine had no problems at all,worry more about having great ventilation,vents high over their heads while on the roost and vents open all winter worked well for me.

 

[hellokittyfive]

I live in New Jersey and had frostbite issues on my rooster's waddles. Last winter he lost his comb tips. I have adequate ventilation but he still got frostbite so I put him and his three hens in our basement for a month until the weather got above freezing. You will have to play it by ear I think.

 

[JackE]

Insulating a chicken coop, as far as winter goes, is a waste of time and $$$. A coop is not like your house, which in the winter months, is all closed up and insulated to keep the heat generated from your furnace in. A coop is opened to the outside (It's supposed to be, anyway) for proper ventilation/fresh air exchange. And if it's opened up, it's going to be at, or near, the outside temp. Besides that, chickens already come with perfect insulation of their own, and really don't need any help from us.
I have an open-air coop. The whole front wall is wide open, year round. That kinda negates the rule that winter ventilation has to be up over the chicken's heads. The coop is unheated, and uninsulated. We had temps down to zero last winter, not including any wind chill. I live just off a branch of the Chesapeak bay(Right behind the coop, in the pic below). And when the wind blows off of there, it's cold. I have a few BRs, with some tall combs, and none of them have ever suffered any frostbite. And none of them have spent any of their time in my house. The cold alone, is not a cause for frostbite. Cold and insufficient ventilation is. Chickens put out a lot of humidity, just from breathing. And that humidity HAS to be gotten rid of. And depending on how many birds you have, and the size of the coop, that could mean you have to have some pretty big holes cut into the coop.
Insulation, fugetaboutit.

 

[Spartan22]

I live in West Central MN and recently got approved to have chickens in my city. I am starting construction of my coop in the next few days and I'm curious if I need to insulate my 4x4 coop since temps in winter can reach -20°. I am planning on having a heat source to keep the water from freezing but I am wondering I need to go as far as insulating the entire coop. Any suggestions?

I live in NE Ohio and first time flock owner last winter (temps were -17 - 0 was brutal) after reading few opinions on both sides, I decided to insulate walls and ceiling for less than $70. I was glad I did, no frost bites on my leghorns combs (i was too lazy/no time to put vaseline) or on my heavy breeds feet. Temperature inside remained 10-20 degrees better, true also for summer heat when they lay eggs inside the coop, I got good ventilations (2 louvers on top) and 4 windows. No frozen eggs, since even if it was frigid, 6 of 10 chicken decided to lay eggs constantly (they started in August). I kept a light on for 1 hour on timer (morning) so I can check their water and feeds and remove night time droppings before I head to work. Some flock owners I know in the area had lost some chickens due to frostbites. My coop is 80' from my house.

 

[Spartan22]

 

[hellokittyfive]

Sorry to hijack your thread arenner, but JackE, this question is for you!





I have three hens and a rooster. They sleep on the left side of the coop. There is ventilation above the front window, a little along the back where the roof line is, and when you walk in the people door there's an opening on the top left. Should I put a vent over the left side window as well?

 

[Spartan22]

JackE,

Your coop were one of the ones I admired and almost copied but decided on insulated cape cod/garden shed style.

 

[Folly's place]

More ventilation is good. I did insulate my coop, and it really helps with summer heat! I have some shade on the south and west sides, but insulating at least the roof will keep it cooler in summer. In very cold weather (below 20) I cover the west window with plastic. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

PS> I would LOVE a coop like JackE's!!! Mine is a recovered old farm building. Mary