Should I insulate?

[schmedlap]

I insulated with that foam board, cut to fit between the studs in my chicken shack, but only because I was able to get enough scrap pieces to make it work. The cavities are stuffed to the edge so there's no room for critters or bugs. I covered it with 1/4" sheeting as I came across it, again scrap stuff.
Floor is several inches of straw, cleaned out somewhat regularly and added to compost pile.
I can't help but think it helps keep heat in when it's cold, although it doesn't really get that cold here. 250W red heat lamp with thermostat keeps them warm.
Solar powered fans for when it's hot, along with a large crank out Anderson window, with screen, helps keep them cool when it's hot.
Nothing but the best for my girls.
I figure the eggs are about $10 to 20 each.

 

[schmedlap]

I insulated with that foam board, cut to fit between the studs in my chicken shack, but only because I was able to get enough scrap pieces to make it work. The cavities are stuffed to the edge so there's no room for critters or bugs. I covered it with 1/4" sheeting as I came across it, again scrap stuff.
Floor is several inches of straw, cleaned out somewhat regularly and added to compost pile.
I can't help but think it helps keep heat in when it's cold, although it doesn't really get that cold here. 250W red heat lamp with thermostat keeps them warm.
Solar powered fans for when it's hot, along with a large crank out Anderson window, with screen, helps keep them cool when it's hot.
Nothing but the best for my girls.
I figure the eggs are about $10 to 20 each.

 

[Malamute1]

New shed going in this week that I'll convert to a coop as it warms up. My question is should I insulate, and if yes, with what?

It's an 8x8 wood shed that I'll use as a coop and storage area. As installed, it's bare framing, so I can do whatever, but whatever I do (if anything) I'd like it to be economical! I'm in Colorado SPrings

New shed going in this week that I'll convert to a coop as it warms up. My question is should I insulate, and if yes, with what?

It's an 8x8 wood shed that I'll use as a coop and storage area. As installed, it's bare framing, so I can do whatever, but whatever I do (if anything) I'd like it to be economical! I'm in Colorado SPrings

Your suggested are welcome!

I would skip the insulation and paint the inside with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. It's safe for farm animals. Two good coats. It helps a lot with mites and other tiny critter. It's great at cleaning time. 3 or 4 times a year I pick a sunny day and borrow my husband's pressure washer and give the interior a good cleaning. The urethane isn't cheap but well with the money for healthy chickens and ease of cleaning.

 

[CindyinSD]

I insulated with that foam board, cut to fit between the studs in my chicken shack, but only because I was able to get enough scrap pieces to make it work. The cavities are stuffed to the edge so there's no room for critters or bugs. I covered it with 1/4" sheeting as I came across it, again scrap stuff.
Floor is several inches of straw, cleaned out somewhat regularly and added to compost pile.
I can't help but think it helps keep heat in when it's cold, although it doesn't really get that cold here. 250W red heat lamp with thermostat keeps them warm.
Solar powered fans for when it's hot, along with a large crank out Anderson window, with screen, helps keep them cool when it's hot.
Nothing but the best for my girls.
I figure the eggs are about $10 to 20 each.

Please be super careful with that heat lamp. We had a gal here recently whose coop caught fire, killed a bunch of birds, melted the siding on her nearby bedroom wall. It can happen to anyone... freak accidents. This sort of thing is more common than I realized. If you, for your peace, need your coop to be heated, get one of those infrared panels made for coops. They’re pricey, but safe.

 

[Chickenclaude]

Yup, A couple of high vents are permanent. Then I also have several sliding windows with screens to modulate temp, humidity, etc. But curious on the insulation part.

I’ve had chickens for 5 years. I took a little tykes house and converted it into chicken house. It has a small run beneath the raised house and a movable run. It can get -12o or less during the cold CT winters. I wrap the under house with clear tarps for winter protection. Chickens are wild birds. They need protection from winds and predators.

 

[marilyn1954]

New shed going in this week that I'll convert to a coop as it warms up. My question is should I insulate, and if yes, with what?

It's an 8x8 wood shed that I'll use as a coop and storage area. As installed, it's bare framing, so I can do whatever, but whatever I do (if anything) I'd like it to be economical! I'm in Colorado SPrings

Your suggested are welcome!

Don’t waste your money, chickens have those nice warm feathers and they are in the coop at night so no wind is hitting them. I have never had a problem other than my water freezing in the winter. They adapt to the weather. Just like all other animals. Look back in the day a hundred years ago, no one ever worried about farm animals getting to hot or cold. And they were just fine

 

[marilyn1954]

Yeah I've mentioned on certain places in the world. Hence me saying I used tin because I have termites up here in Northern territory Australia.I also said probably different weather in my first thread. Alkgood mate your right. But I think there's no need for insulation in a chicken coop.

To me it’s laughable (not being mean) but I agree with you, a coop is all they need to keep the wind off them. Animals are gods creatures, they shed feathers and furs and if it’s going to be a bad winter most get a even heavier coat of fur. Having chickens is easy, to many people seem to make it hard. Get a coop, protect them from wild animals, water and feed them. In return they give you the gift of nice fresh daily eggs. That’s it easy as pie.

 

[marilyn1954]

Please be super careful with that heat lamp. We had a gal here recently whose coop caught fire, killed a bunch of birds, melted the siding on her nearby bedroom wall. It can happen to anyone... freak accidents. This sort of thing is more common than I realized. If you, for your peace, need your coop to be heated, get one of those infrared panels made for coops. They’re pricey, but safe.

Get rid of heat lamps the chickens have feathers to keep them warm.

 

[Jealous Gypsy]

Hello friend, i live where it get -30 as well. Here is what I have experienced. I raised chicks in my tiny house. We live with 0 electricity so we have insulation in the house. They actually got a hold of and ate my insulation!!! I thought my babies would die. They are all fine.. why? We used rock wool it is non itchy and made from recycled materials. The tiny house remains unfinished to this day we still live in it.
As for in the coop, i use straw. I tried hay because the hardware store was out of straw for a month. One of my girls has a crop issue now i think she ate the straw. The only insulation i use is straw now. I use the deep litter method works very well. I have the outside covered with tarps but left the top 6 inches open for insulation to help prevent frost bite. It also helps with keeping them sheltered from this wicked wind up here. So far only problem has been the 1 chicken with crop problem. This is just what i did. I have 33 chickens, 4 turkeys and 6 guineas. Your own way you feel comfortable with will work for you. Hope this has helped.
P.s. every other time i raised chickens it was in a heated and insulated garage. Not an option up here though.

New shed going in this week that I'll convert to a coop as it warms up. My question is should I insulate, and if yes, with what?

It's an 8x8 wood shed that I'll use as a coop and storage area. As installed, it's bare framing, so I can do whatever, but whatever I do (if anything) I'd like it to be economical! I'm in Colorado SPrings

Your suggested are welcome!

 

[Gategitter]

Ok now that we have covered the lack of need for insulation in the COLD ...... what about the excessive heat ?? Metal storage building for coop. It is under a tree but the blazing sun hits the front of it every afternoon Sooooo..... do I need to do anything for that ?? Oh ya I’m talking ..... 100+ degrees...... not really looking for slow roasted chicken.. haha