Keep insulation or no?

[Colberon]

I have purchased this small building to turn into a chicken coop for my seven hens. The building was originally an ice fishing shack and as you can see the inside is insulated, my question is; should I keep the insulation and cover so the chickens don’t peck at it or should I remove? We will be using LP smart solutions siding on the outside, it is currently a very thin partial board. We have had issues with mites and I worry about closing the insulation into the walls that I won’t be able to treat effectively. Please help me decide the best way to turn this building into a sweet/safe home for my girls.

 

[RebinNH]

Do you think mites will go somewhere, where there is no food? Ie. behind the insulation? The only thing I can think of is garden fabric stapled up over the entire walls, trying not to have many seams. If (when) you need to treat for mites it might be easier because you can spray down the entire walls and garden fabric will allow some to go through but will also dry fairly quickly.
Would love to hear what others have to say, as I am doing something similar.
Rebecca

 

[Colberon]

Do you think mites will go somewhere, where there is no food? Ie. behind the insulation? The only thing I can think of is garden fabric stapled up over the entire walls, trying not to have many seams. If (when) you need to treat for mites it might be easier because you can spray down the entire walls and garden fabric will allow some to go through but will also dry fairly quickly.
Would love to hear what others have to say, as I am doing something similar.
Rebecca

Thank you for your response, I've had red mites, which is my understanding is they live off the host in cracks/crevasses in the coop and only come out at night to feed on the chickens. I worry they'll lay their eggs and within the wall and I won't be able to treat, but I may be misinformed. I hadn't thought of garden fabric, but I suspect my chickens will rip it off.

 

[mowin]

I think the chickens will destroy that insulation. They love to peck and mine have removed all the insulation from my central AC lines.

 

[Captain13]

mowin is correct. Chickens will destroy the insulation. They will actually eat if in some cases. A friend had an insulated outbuilding converted to a coop and the chickens were eating the insulation.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Mine peck at it till it's gone especially cause ITS SHINY!@#$_&--_$@@@& Little turds! Cover it up or take it out. They've stayed warm without it.

 

[raingarden]

Nice find. But, yeah, they will ruin it. Insulation would probably be handy in Maine though. You already have the 2x2 framing to attach something to. I like the idea of landscape fabric. You could also cover the walls (or at least the lower four feet of the walls) with paneling. Cheap wall paneling is about $30 for a 4'x8' sheet.

 

[WIchickMama]

I would keep it and cover it as stated above. If you arent/cant keep the window open all winter make sure to add some ventilation along the top before adding any covering-it will be much easier

 

[Colberon]

Thank you everyone for the responses, we have removed all the insulation from the walls and added LP Siding to the outside but did leave the insulation on the ceiling. We have came up with a plan for ventilation that I will take pictures of and share in the next couple of days.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you everyone for the responses, we have removed all the insulation from the walls and added LP Siding to the outside but did leave the insulation on the ceiling. We have came up with a plan for ventilation that I will take pictures of and share in the next couple of days.

Can't wait to see photos.