New coop, will it need heating?

[Einhornjohnsonjt]

Hi there,
I only have two buffs and two bantams (they haven’t met each other yet). Currently we have a well insulated 12sq ft coop and although, from what I’ve read, it’s technically big enough we’ve decided to build a bigger taller coop so the buffs don’t have anything to fuss over when they meet new members of the flock.
anyways, this new coop will be off the ground, door and window, a vent near the roof, straw/hay/pine bedding but it won’t be insulated—so will it need heat? We have one of those upright heating pads that is safe and low wattage but haven’t used it yet. Living in northern Michigan so come December a few months of single digit and below 0 nights with minimal sunshine during the day.

 

[3KillerBs]

You will probably not need heat. Chickens keep themselves warm as long as we keep them dry and protect them from the wind.

This is the definitive BYC cold weather chicken article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[DobieLover]

Hi there,
I only have two buffs and two bantams (they haven’t met each other yet). Currently we have a well insulated 12sq ft coop and although, from what I’ve read, it’s technically big enough we’ve decided to build a bigger taller coop so the buffs don’t have anything to fuss over when they meet new members of the flock.
anyways, this new coop will be off the ground, door and window, a vent near the roof, straw/hay/pine bedding but it won’t be insulated—so will it need heat? We have one of those upright heating pads that is safe and low wattage but haven’t used it yet. Living in northern Michigan so come December a few months of single digit and below 0 nights with minimal sunshine during the day.

You won't need heat or insulation but you will need a lot more than "a vent near the roof" for the coop to have enough ventilation to stay dry when fresh air.

 

[wamtazlady]

I live in NW Montana. Coop has no insulation and no heat. What it does have is 10 square feet of vents. Coop is 6' by 8' and was built for 12 chickens although I only have 5. You will need about a square foot of vent for every chicken. .

Temperatures here get down into the -20s F. Birds don't seem to notice as they wear their nice warm down coats.

 

[aart]

bigger taller coop

How big and tall, in feet by feet?
How many birds?
Got pics of plans?

Bigger and taller would be good for Northern Michigan.
Big run with solid roof and wind breaks on walls would be good too.
Chicken Cabin Fever is real and it can get ugly. BTDT.

 

[Einhornjohnsonjt]

You won't need heat or insulation but you will need a lot more than "a vent near the roof" for the coop to have enough ventilation to stay dry when fresh air.

Really? The coop is 60inches tall, 20 sq feet—I have a standard duct vent that is maybe 4x10, one you’d use in the house. Not good enough?

 

[Einhornjohnsonjt]

I live in NW Montana. Coop has no insulation and no heat. What it does have is 10 square feet of vents. Coop is 6' by 8' and was built for 12 chickens although I only have 5. You will need about a square foot of vent for every chicken. .

Temperatures here get down into the -20s F. Birds don't seem to notice as they wear their nice warm down coats.

Wow

 

[Einhornjohnsonjt]

I live in NW Montana. Coop has no insulation and no heat. What it does have is 10 square feet of vents. Coop is 6' by 8' and was built for 12 chickens although I only have 5. You will need about a square foot of vent for every chicken. .

Temperatures here get down into the -20s F. Birds don't seem to notice as they wear their nice warm down coats.

Do v

How big and tall, in feet by feet?
How many birds?
Got pics of plans?

Bigger and taller would be good for Northern Michigan.
Big run with solid roof and wind breaks on walls would be good too.
Chicken Cabin Fever is real and it can get ugly. BTDT.

it’ll be 60 inches tall at the highest part of the roof, 48 inches at the sloped shorter end of the roof—20 square feet, 5x4. Again only two buffs and two tiny bantams —i really need a whole square foot of vent for each bird!??

 

[3KillerBs]

I have a standard duct vent that is maybe 4x10, one you’d use in the house. Not good enough?

The standard recommendation is 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation per bird. Windows that are closed in the winter and the pop door that is closed at night don't count.

 

[DobieLover]

Really? The coop is 60inches tall, 20 sq feet—I have a standard duct vent that is maybe 4x10, one you’d use in the house. Not good enough?

Nope.

—i really need a whole square foot of vent for each bird!??

Yep. In the summer, open windows for breezes across the roosting space.