New Member

[Mudma]

Hi my name is Brenda and run a B&B in Nova Scotia Canada and Ioved the idea of raising chickens for eggs at the B&B. I local fellow was building his first chicken coop and offered to build mean at the same time, great! I purchased 8 road island reds and 4 guinea fowl. I am extending the run buy 13 feet because although the birds are doing fine in the present set up they will be a bit cramped later this winter so thought I should get on it now.
I was wondering about insulating my coop. I have some Styrofoam insulation laying around and was just going to glue it to the interior walls and then finish it with a layer of cardboard as I understand they will peck at the cardboard. I slap hand a heat lamp in the coop. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Perris]

hello Brenda @Mudma ! welcome to BYC
I can't help with insulation issues, but I think you will need to cover styrofoam with something more peck-proof than cardboard; they will peck at and eat both!

 

[drumstick diva]

Nice to meet you Brenda, thank you for joining us at Backyard Chickens. Styrofoam is like crack to chickens - they love it. Can't recall anyone saying their birds were harmed by it. But I think covering it would be a good idea.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Brenda and welcome to BYC. I’d suggest asking about insulation issues on your country thread - see link below.

Here are some links to useful resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - Canada

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
A B&B on a property with chickens? I'd stay there.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Brenda and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Brenda and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

Do a search on ventilation for the coop. You'll want about 1 square foot per bird.

 

[N F C]

I agree with @Perris if you use styrofoam you'll need to be sure the flock can't get to it. Chickens will eat it!

@Pork Pie has given you a link to the Canadian thread...I bet those folks would have some good advice for dealing with your winters

 

[BullChick]

While insulation isn’t really a must, do make sure the birds can’t get to it.
Some people wrap the run in plastic to help insulate, and keep snow out of the run. The birds will play in the snow, but prefer the ground to scratch in.
Heat lamps fall, and fires start. Also, if you lose power or the lamp burns out, the flock will freeze to death because they never acclimated to the cold.
Insulation is very important. Improper ventilation causes frostbite.
As a boredom buster, toss scratch grains inside to search for. Also, you can hang a head of cabbage, or a treat cake. Like suet. You can make your own, and even offer a craft time for guests to make treats for the flock.