Piedmont NC 4X6 Coop- Insulate?

[OrpingtonHopeful]

It has gotten to over 100 degrees in our first few summers here, and snowed this past winter.

We have 4 BO babies we are building our coop for. It will be 4 X 6 and have an attached run that we expect to be 4 X 9 (50% of which will have the corrugated roofing for shade).

The coop has to be away from our property line to comply with city codes so It is out there by itself- No shade trees, etc.

How can we be sure it will be cool enough in our extreme summers, but warm enough all winter without breaking the bank-

Considering running electric to it, insulating, etc- It will be close to our garden, so we have to be careful not to cast shade over the garden, but I would happily plant vines along the coop/run for shade on it-

Any other design ideas for us?

Thank you for any and all advice!

 

[Mahonri]

I don't have any insulation and it got over 110 for at least 10 days here last year and I didn't lose any.

I give them cool water regularly and sometimes with ice in it. I also have a fan in the coop to vent out warm air.

There are times I wish I'd put in insulation and a window AC Unit!

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

I live outside of Hickory, NC, and had chickens through 2 winters with no insulation, so it's not necessary. Just make sure you provide some sort of shade, even if it is a cover built over part of the run.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Hi! On the other side of Spencer Mt. Here. You don't really need any insulation around here. Winters aren't really that cold for the birds.

Summer is a different story. You need lots of ventilation. Possibly a 3 sided coop or a regular coop with lots of windows to open. Just about any vine you plant by your coop, they are gonna eat. I've been trying 2 years now and they have eaten Everything.

How far from electric will your coop be? You can always install a fan.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

We are about 3 hours apart, so I though I would chime in. We don't have a lick of insulation in our coops and our birds make it through the summer and winter just fine.

On those very, very hot and humid days we get in the dog days of summer, I do let them out of the run to find a cool place in the yard to dustbathe. Just make sure they have water!