Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[ChickenAl]

Maggie, we've been spraying water on the run, their feet and the roof of the coop, and using a fan on the run. Have not tried the wading pool yet. Next heatwave we'll give it a try.

How's the house painting coming along?

 

[magsrags]

Well 2 sides copmpleted! Hopefully next Monday/tuesday looks like a break in the heat. We will attempt the front this time. Hard work though. Ugh.........

 

[ChickenAl]

Hopefully, once you are done painting it will last a very loooooong time. Definitely not an easy project or one you would like to do again anytime soon. I'm glad they invented siding. We only have to paint the coop.shed this year. Tried to do it in the spring but it was raining anytime we had the chance. We'll see how the end of August shapes up and get it done then.

I'm thinking about insulating the inside of the coop for winter, but not sure if it is a good idea. I would use the silver foil covered panels between the rafters if I can get any feedback on how well they work. Keeping them cool in summer and warm in winter is a challenge. I don't want to have to put a space heater in the coop in winter if it can be avoided. Just a water heater should be all that they need if it isn't too cold.

Have any ideas about winterizing the coop? I'm open to suggestions. Since this will be the first winter I want to have everything in place rather than waiting for -5 degree days and frozen chickens.

 

[magsrags]

You know if your coop is tight n dry.....not overly large then they should be fine . I've never nsulated my wooden dog houses cause I am afraid of the frost build up and then frost bite on damp combs. How many chickens you have and what size building are they in? Remember they do generate a lot of heat sitting in the same room and if no drafts they should be good if fed and watered well.

Insulate as long as the ventilation is good.You do get colder up there generally speaking. But man we have had some doozy of winters down here lately.





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[ChickenAl]

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They have an area that is 4'x8' for the six of them. The rest of the shed 8'x8' is walled off with a vent on top of the wall between. They have fairly good ventilation with the two windows. I certainly don't want frostbitten combs or feet and I need to add a vent up high by the peak of the roof before winter. If insulation is not really a good thing then I will pass on it and just make sure I have enough adjustable vents up high to let the humidity out. We've gotten it mostly figured out for heat this summer but the winter will be a new experience for them and us being this is our first flock ever. Learning on the job is not how I want to do this because their heath is my major concern. I have read differing opinions and it is not easy to decide which one to go with. I like the insulation idea but worry about what you said about humidity ad condensation. The ventilation idea is great but if it is really cold and windy I would have to get the venting right without allowing drafts. Well, I've got time to get this all sorted out. Just don't want to leave it till the last minute.

 

[magsrags]

You housing sounds nice. Long as there is air circulation from the vents I don't see anything wrong with some roofing insulation.



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They have an area that is 4'x8' for the six of them. The rest of the shed 8'x8' is walled off with a vent on top of the wall between. They have fairly good ventilation with the two windows. I certainly don't want frostbitten combs or feet and I need to add a vent up high by the peak of the roof before winter. If insulation is not really a good thing then I will pass on it and just make sure I have enough adjustable vents up high to let the humidity out. We've gotten it mostly figured out for heat this summer but the winter will be a new experience for them and us being this is our first flock ever. Learning on the job is not how I want to do this because their heath is my major concern. I have read differing opinions and it is not easy to decide which one to go with. I like the insulation idea but worry about what you said about humidity ad condensation. The ventilation idea is great but if it is really cold and windy I would have to get the venting right without allowing drafts. Well, I've got time to get this all sorted out. Just don't want to leave it till the last minute.

 

[MobyQuail]

 

[ChickenAl]

Just checking in to see how y'all are doing.

I let the girls free range tonight for an hour before dark. It was awesome how they made their way back to the coop and went it at dark. I've been letting them out for a few days now and boy can they forage. They all came back tonight with swollen crops. It's great how they are doing the weeding for us too. Nice having weed whackers that can give you breakfast.

Hope you all had a good day today, and wish you an even better one for tomorrow.


Al

 

[magsrags]

hey al! I've been doing the same thing the past couple of day npw, and enjoy having them just hanging out picking the greens.yup ......it's a goopd thing........




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[magsrags]

my spelling $%^&^ s.