New coop

[Batesabbey]

I’m in northern NH, and I Just build my girls a Tuff Shed for their coop, and was wondering if you would recommend insulating the walls? We do occasionally get into the negatives here, I have 6 buff Orpington hens at the moment.
**** A PLUS! If you can also recommend bedding for inside the coop. I keep going back and forth about the deep liter method. I currently have sand in there!!

 

[Logar]

You don’t need insulation. Orps are a very cold hardy breed.

What you need is ventilation which seems to be lacking severely. You should have at least 1 sq foot of ventilation per bird that is open (covered with hardware cloth) 24/7/365.

For bedding I have successfully used shavings, pine pellets, and I currently use shredded cardboard. I don’t like the deep litter but that is up to you on if you choose to use it.

 

[Batesabbey]

You don’t need insulation. Orps are a very cold hardy breed.

What you need is ventilation which seems to be lacking severely. You should have at least 1 sq foot of ventilation that is open (covered with hardware cloth) 24/7/365.

For bedding I have successfully used shavings, pine pellets, and I currently use shredded cardboard. I don’t like the deep litter but that is up to you on if you choose to use it.

Thank you! On the back side of theshed there’s vent for ventilation. It’s also a 8x6 shed. I will look into the bedding! Thanks so much!

 

[WingItRanch]

Nice! Agreed you need to cut some more ventilation in your coop but I don't think insulation is necessary.

Do you garden? If so, deep litter is great for composting. I use deep litter and clean the coop out twice a year. The soiled bedding I put in a compost pile so it can break down more for garden use later. I use pine shavings for inside the coop and pine pellets for the run.

 

[Batesabbey]

Nice! Agreed you need to cut some more ventilation in your coop but I don't think insulation is necessary.

Do you garden? If so, deep litter is great for composting. I use deep litter and clean the coop out twice a year. The soiled bedding I put in a compost pile so it can break down more for garden use later. I use pine shavings for inside the coop and pine pellets for the run.

Thank you so much! Pine shavings seem to be the go too!! I do have a vent in the back of the shed that’s a decent size. (Not shown in picture). Thanks so much!

 

[bajabirdbrain]

We use sand in both the coop and run. Very easy to clean using a small slotted kitty litter shovel. With a solid roof over the run and clear plastic on the 2 sides to keep snow and rain out during the winter, all stays dry and comfy.

 

[avjudge]

I’m in northern NH, and I Just build my girls a Tuff Shed for their coop, and was wondering if you would recommend insulating the walls? We do occasionally get into the negatives here, I have 6 buff Orpington hens at the moment.
**** A PLUS! If you can also recommend bedding for inside the coop. I keep going back and forth about the deep liter method. I currently have sand in there!!

Also northern NH, north of the notches, though not by much. Insulation shouldn't be needed. I agree with more ventilation, up high above the chickens' heads when they roost, so that it can vent the rising warm ammonia-laden air while not blowing directly on their bodies. Having that on two sides is ideal. However, you'll have to think about how to protect that from blowing snow, maybe constructing some sort of awning.

That shed looks like it has a floor? Or is it just open to the ground? If a floor, I like deep bedding in the winter. (You'll find the difference between deep bedding vs deep litter addressed elsewhere on this board, I think in an article; at least as used here, litter is assumed to be on a moist surface where it composts in place, bedding is dry and does not compost.) I use shredded cardboard & paper in my coop but add some horse stall pellets under the roosts. I don't have poop boards; since my winter coop is in a corner of my barn, I go in with the manure fork a couple times a week and scoop what's built up under the roosts, but don't worry about getting it all and let the rest mix in with the bedding. (That's the idea of deep bedding.) When spring comes it gets a complete clean-out, and the bedding with whatever manure is in it goes right onto the vegetable garden.

BTW - great idea starting with a shed, life is much easier if you can walk in for cleaning or checking on/handling chickens. And if wood or wood-like siding they're generally easy enough to cut holes in for ventilation. The biggest difference from something planned from scratch is probably that the ideal coop would have much bigger roof overhangs to protect that ventilation from rain & snow blowing in. But I can think of a few ways to add awnings, or put in the bigger rectangular vents with louvers - though in that case be sure to add extra venting as the louvers will block some air flow.

 

[Batesabbey]

Also northern NH, north of the notches, though not by much. Insulation shouldn't be needed. I agree with more ventilation, up high above the chickens' heads when they roost, so that it can vent the rising warm ammonia-laden air while not blowing directly on their bodies. Having that on two sides is ideal. However, you'll have to think about how to protect that from blowing snow, maybe constructing some sort of awning.

That shed looks like it has a floor? Or is it just open to the ground? If a floor, I like deep bedding in the winter. (You'll find the difference between deep bedding vs deep litter addressed elsewhere on this board, I think in an article; at least as used here, litter is assumed to be on a moist surface where it composts in place, bedding is dry and does not compost.) I use shredded cardboard & paper in my coop but add some horse stall pellets under the roosts. I don't have poop boards; since my winter coop is in a corner of my barn, I go in with the manure fork a couple times a week and scoop what's built up under the roosts, but don't worry about getting it all and let the rest mix in with the bedding. (That's the idea of deep bedding.) When spring comes it gets a complete clean-out, and the bedding with whatever manure is in it goes right onto the vegetable garden.

Not far from me! I’m close to Rumney! I do have a flooor in my coop. Vent is above roosting bars on the back side of the shed that is not shown. I will definitely look into maybe a second ventilation spot as well!

 

[StinkyAcres]

You should have at least 1 sq foot of ventilation that is open (covered with hardware cloth) 24/7/365.

This should be 1 square foot of ventilation PER BIRD open year round, up high over the chickens' heads when they are roosting.

Thank you! On the back side of theshed there’s vent for ventilation. It’s also a 8x6 shed. I will look into the bedding! Thanks so much!

@Batesabbey You need lots more ventilation (6 square feet of vents).

 

[Logar]

This should be 1 square foot of ventilation PER BIRD open year round, up high over the chickens' heads when they are roosting

Yes, I am sorry. I mistyped. I will go back and edit that