Spring 2017 first timers post!

[Flight4761]

We custom built our coop and insulated the entire thing from top to bottom with 2 inch pink fiber board and put in two screened windows that we can open for ventilation. The upside is that even when it got down to -10/-15 at night it was plenty warm enough, even without the heat lamp on all the time. We tested the coop out during the winter to see how it would do before putting hens in it. Downside when it got warm during the day (30/40s) if we forgot to turn the light off it got a little to warm (like 70) in there and that can be dangerous because it makes it hard for them to adjust to going outside and more susceptible to getting sick from sudden change of temperature quickly. But we still feel it was worth the insulation because they are not cold.

Thanks.
I will not be using a heat-lamp.
You said two inches of insulation? Would the answer change depending on the type used?
I am new to owning chickens, and am planning for a 13×8 coop for 10-20 chickens. Those are only approximations, though.

 

[igorsMistress]

At what point do we clip their feathers to prevent flight? Mine are trying to fly everywhere right now.  thankfully, they are safe in my garage for a while.  My black lab is curious, but has apparently decided they are not worth pestering because he will get disciplined. 

Most people wait until birds are older before clipping wings. Right now they're full of energy and testing their abilities.

One of my EE's was an escapee from the temporary pen we had but once they moved to the coop she doesn't try to escape. More fun and interesting things to do outside.

Consider the birds need to escape from a predator before clipping wings, especially if they will free range.

I always clipped both wings on pet birds. Allows them to keep their balance when they do fly and have a controlled fall rather than go helter skelter all over the room.

 

[LandersLittles]

I'm thinking of an insulated coop.
Any views on this?
I know that ventilation is most important.
I live in Idaho, and this previous winter got -20°F. Usually doesn't get that cold, though.
Summers can get around 100°F.
Leaning towards a pallet coop. (Planning for Ameraucanas)

Where in Idaho are you at? I live just south of Boise!

 

[bajabirdbrain]

The Stork Has Landed!!!! Got the call from the Post Office came at 6 am and the chicks were being watered, individually, by 6:35 am. Was surprised at how small the box was for 16 chicks. They were in a clump of bodies but when the box was open they wanted OUT. No problem with them drinking and eating. After about 45 minutes of activity they were put under the MHP. The extra good news is that the older(5 days+/-) speckled sussex showed little interest in the newbies. Note the interest of our raccoon chaser, Raven, aka, the
mini Lap Lab. The Journey Begins. TBC, BB

 

[Wavechickens]

[COLOR=FF8C00]The Stork Has Landed!!!![/COLOR][COLOR=4B0082] Got the call from the Post Office came at 6 am and the chicks were being watered, individually, by 6:35 am. Was surprised at how small the box was for 16 chicks. They were in a clump of bodies but when the box was open they wanted OUT. No problem with them drinking and eating. After about 45 minutes of activity they were put under the MHP. The extra good news is that the older(5 days+/-) speckled sussex showed little interest in the newbies. Note the interest of our raccoon chaser, Raven, aka, the[/COLOR] [COLOR=4B0082]mini Lap Lab. The Journey Begins. TBC, BB[/COLOR]

Ah!!! So cute! They are precious. Yes they ship them in small boxes to keep them warmer. Ours came in a similar box.

 

[Wavechickens]

Thanks.
I will not be using a heat-lamp.
You said two inches of insulation? Would the answer change depending on the type used?
I am new to owning chickens, and am planning for a 13×8 coop for 10-20 chickens. Those are only approximations, though.

If you don't plan on using a heat lamp I would advise insulatating it, but also depends on the breeds you intend to raise. For example Easter Eggers and Ameraucanas and small comb birds or australops, heavy body and feathered birds do okay in colder temps while leghorns, crested cream legbars, and other large combed birds do not and can get frost bite. Make sure you have some kind of ventaliation, be it a openable window or screened area for air flow. Frost bite tends to be an issue when there isn't enough ventaltion and humidity grts trapped inside the coop and then the temps drop and the humidity freezes. The cold itself is actually less dangerous, but still concerning.
The type of insulation will make a difference on how well it insulates and holds heat. We used pink board because it allows less heat to escape than say pink fiberglass (the puffy pink stuff). My dad used to do a bit of carpentry when he was a younger man so he helped a great deal. If you know anyone who's got experice in the matters of carpentry and chicken coop I would fully use that, if not Internet comes in handy
Good luck!

 

[Flight4761]

Where in Idaho are you at? I live just south of Boise!

Near cda

 

[LandersLittles]

Near cda

Nice! I have family up towards Sandpoint. Beautiful area up there!

 

[henny penny 1]

Will check out your coop! Used to live in Idy on Deerfoot Lane! Back to Santa Fe now.
Later

 

[henny penny 1]

So sweet!