Newbie building coop need help !!! Ventilation and insulation location

I think I need more ventilation.

Agree.

One good option is that if the W wall is shared with your barn, make a good big opening into there (perhaps with a cover for when you want it closed -- remember chickens can be dusty). That will be especially useful in the winter, but can be useful in summertime too as long as your barn doesn't get too hot itself. You may also want larger openings (don't have to be framed-and-glassed windows) in the coop itself, especially since it's not going to get any W or N breezes in summertime. (I think that's quite a sensible location given that you've got a windy site, mind you -- you will be glad you did it, come winter -- it's just that like everything else in life, there are tradoffs. OTOH you won't have to worry about hot late-afternoon sun on the coop in August, either -- another plus side of the tradeoff)

Temps are wickedly cold norm is twenty windchill will always be in teens or below.

ROTFL, were you perhaps born in California or the south? NE PA is not "wickedly cold" by cold-weather standards... (I grew up in Philly, vacationed plenty in Poconos, have an uncle in N central PA). Windchill doesn't really matter btw, as it will not be occurring inside the coop.

It wouldn't hurt to insulate, especially because if you think temps still above 0 F are so frigid then I am thinking you may turn out to be one of those people who's always thinking the chickies *must* be cold You don't NEED to, but for your peace of mind I think you'd be happier. Do make sure the carpentry is all very tight, so's not to be inviting mice to breed inside your walls.

For a longer-than-some-people-want discussion of ventilation, see the link in my .sig below; you might also check out the cold coop link (discusses chickens' cold tolerance and measures you can take to moderate coop temperatures in winter).

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

I agree with Pat about the temprature issue. Wind chill only applies to exposed human skin, it's the ambient temp that matters. If you are above 0 and are ventilated but draft free, the birds will be fine. Remember that chickens put off a lot of moisture and their poo generates a lot of ammonia that must be ventilated out or you will have condensation issues and breathing issues. Also chickens stand up well to cold, much better than to the heat. If you occationally get near 0 you can simply hang a heatlamp. The idea of a opening into the existing attached building may be used to resolve your winter ventilation issue too. Insulation is not critical but does help seal major drafts but you might consider Tyvek to help seal the gaps but release moisture. Have you considered hinged doors with wire covering the openings, in addition to the windows, as a option for summer ventilation? When it gets hot, prop them open / when cold and windy, lock them closed kinda like a screen door & insulated door on your house. Draft free is going to be your big issue to overcome especially where they roost and nest.

As to letting them out in the winter, do it. Give them a snow free area (at least roofed) so they can sun and dustbath plus get some fresh air. They are not fragile chicks and fresh air / sunshine cures a lot of health issues, just like us.