Questions about coop interior

[paintwife]

For me insulation doesn't do much in winter because my vents are 75% open even at -20. In summer the insulation keeps my coop so much cooler for the hens, and easier for me to do anything inside. In fact it was while i was building the inside feeling the heat i decided i needed the insulation. My coop doesn't get much shade, building near a tree wasn't an option.

Nice little building. Pics of inside please?

Insulation can't hurt, especially with the wind you'll get there.
Make your ventilation closeable so you can close the side the wind hits leaving the other side open.

Got anything in mind for keeping water thawed? Chickens can take the cold as long as it's ventilated well, but the water source can't.

I haven't done anything to the inside yet, it's just an 8X8 room so far. In addition to the 3 windows I have a large vent in the gable end and venting in the soffits on both sides. I am going to insulate it, we get some pretty hot & humid weather in the summer and I think the insulation will help keep it cool as well. I will have electricity in the coop and was going to ask what others use to keep their water from freezing.

With regard to the motion sensitive light, I have one of the corner of my coop and love it. I think how successful it is depends on how much plant life you have near it as well as how you have it positioned. We're in the woods but our trees are behind the light and it doesn't pick up their motion. It will come on if we are walking towards the coop or are in the run, which is great as that's the area we wanted protected. In fact, we're thinking about getting another one.

There shouldn't be any trees or anything tripping the motion light where we plan to install it. I think it will make me feel better, whether or not it a deterrent to anything else.

 

[aart]

There's:
Heated livestock/pet watering bowls
DIY cookie tin heaters placed underneath water bowls
Rubber water bowls changed out several times a day, easy to empty of ice
Or one of my favorites, cause I like 'systems'...a nipple/cup and piping setup with a recirc pump and submersible heater on a thermo cube (turns heater on and off at a set temp).

Lots of others, do some searching....one example:
advanced search>titles only>water freezing

 

[paintwife]

There's:
Heated livestock/pet watering bowls
DIY cookie tin heaters placed underneath water bowls
Rubber water bowls changed out several times a day, easy to empty of ice
Or one of my favorites, cause I like 'systems'...a nipple/cup and piping setup with a recirc pump and submersible heater on a thermo cube (turns heater on and off at a set temp).

Lots of others, do some searching....one example:
advanced search>titles only>water freezing

Thank you for that link. After looking over all the info, I'm inclined to think the cookie tin heater with a thermo cube might be just what I am looking for. BYC members have been such a BIG help. Now I'm wondering if it's possible to wait until spring to get my girls.

I'm getting pretty excited!

 

[aart]

Thank you for that link. After looking over all the info, I'm inclined to think the cookie tin heater with a thermo cube might be just what I am looking for. BYC members have been such a BIG help. Now I'm wondering if it's possible to wait until spring to get my girls.

I'm getting pretty excited!

YW, it also shows you how to do efficient searches yourself ;-)