insulation

[bucky52]

do you insulate your coops.we do have some very cold nights in the winter.and would it help to keep it cooler in the summer months.

 

[Ullie]

I am just building a coop and was wondering about that as well. I'm in Ontario, Canada

I have insulated the floor and think I will insulate the walls and ceiling as well.
I do have some concerns about moisture and if I should use a vapour barrier.
There will be ventilation but that doesn't help with the moisture. During some of our winters we can have wicked snow storm for a couple days and if the chickens don't go out, well.... I just don't want to be dealing with a mold issue a couple years down the road and have to rebuild.
It would also be cooler in the summer.

Wondering if this has been an issue or concern for anyone.

 

[bucky52]

I am just building a coop and was wondering about that as well. I'm in Ontario, Canada

I have insulated the floor and think I will insulate the walls and ceiling as well.
I do have some concerns about moisture and if I should use a vapour barrier.
There will be ventilation but that doesn't help with the moisture. During some of our winters we can have wicked snow storm for a couple days and if the chickens don't go out, well.... I just don't want to be dealing with a mold issue a couple years down the road and have to rebuild.
It would also be cooler in the summer.

Wondering if this has been an issue or concern for anyone.

they have a insulation,called reflectix insulation at home depot (on line only)that one of byc members had refered to me when i needed advice on trying to cool down my coop.it has really good reviews and prices are not bad.and you staple it on your 2x4"s.now to convince my dh.

 

[Ullie]

Thanks, I just quickly checked it out and I would still need to cover it with some thin plywood so the chickens don't peck at it.

Once it's covered that's when the condensation can build. I probably have another two weeks to think about it before I'm at that stage of construction, right now I'm leaning towards putting up the vapour barrier just to be on the side of caution.

 

[JackE]

I don't have any insulation in mine. We have temps get down in to the single digits (Not including wind chill) around here in the winter, and the birds have absolutely no problems with it. Plus, the whole front is wide open year round. There is no condensation or frost problems. Adding insulation IMO, is a waste of time and money in a chicken coop. The chickens after all, have plenty of insulation of their own. If your coop is properly ventilated, you are not going to seal it up in the winter, are you? You are not going to keep all that much heat in anyway.
Jack

 

[Ullie]

Jack, thanks for the info. on Ventilation. I liked the analogy of winter coat/hat.

"would you think it pointless to wear a winter coat just 'cuz you had no hat on? What insulation does is reduce heat loss from the coop so that you can afford to admit more cold air without making the place too cold"

 

[HouseCat]

My coop is insulated. It gets bitter cold up here in northern Michigan. I guess a big factor is the breed of chickens your keeping. If you have cold hardy breeds like chanties, doms, EEs, etc, then insulation may not be necessary. If you plan on keeping hard feathered and/or bantam breeds like I do, I feel it's a must have.

 

[LaughingPaw]

Greetings,
I have read your posts and am wondering if anyone decided to go with the reflectix insulation. And, if so, did you use the single or double sided version - and how's it working - any words of wisdom to pass along? I live in the central area of eastern NY and while winters aren't generally terrible, we do occasionally get some single digits. I am currently raising a flock of 27 EE chick that will go into their new coop once they are fully feathered in about a month (mid to late November). I appreciate any thoughts you're willing to pass along!