The why's of NOT insulating a coop

[TN wildman]

I didnt plan it but when I built my coop it ended up being in the shade about all day and in the winter the leaves fall off the trees and its in the sun all day. Didnt figure this out until they stopped layingfor some reason the going to work one day looked up at it and it was still dark around it so I put in a light and getting 3 to 4 eggs daily from 4 hens. I dont worry about the cold no one heated a coop 100 years ago and we still have chickens

 

[Aschenfire]

I didnt plan it but when I built my coop it ended up being in the shade about all day and in the winter the leaves fall off the trees and its in the sun all day. Didnt figure this out until they stopped layingfor some reason the going to work one day looked up at it and it was still dark around it so I put in a light and getting 3 to 4 eggs daily from 4 hens. I dont worry about the cold no one heated a coop 100 years ago and we still have chickens

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!! Chickens don't need insulated homes and air conditioning, or a TV in their coop, iPads or little cars to ride around in so they don't have to walk. Chickens were around for a long time, albeit in a wild form, before we decided to domesticate them, and they did not have the amenities we like to think they need. Make sure your coops are well-ventilated, not drafty, and bedded well in colder weather. The birds will be happier and healthier for it.

 

[KathyJB]

Quote:
That just made me lol. You sound just like my husband

I have mine painted white inside because it helps with the lighting. I have the storage side froo-froo because that's just how I roll, I'm female and wanted something different. I'm not being facetious, just explaining my choices.
You are correct about chickens being able to handle the weather and one thing I discovered, they don't need that fan in there. In fact after the husband took the extension cord and cut the power, the chickens went inside more.
Now, on to my coop. Since it's barn shaped and the roof takes up over half of the construction, I keep both doors open and they face east and west. I shut the west one when I'm home about 4:30 or so because of the heat, but you are saying I shouldn't worry about that? I would love to add more ventilation at the peak for night time when the doors are shut, but if you'll look at my picture you will see there is a 2x4, but I guess I could cut out on either side of that and put 2 vents on each side if I can find one to fit. Those windows on the side do let out some heat, but I know I need vents up top side. Now I wish I would have gotten a different shaped building, but it is what it is and I'll have to use what I have.
I thank you all for your suggestions and I LOVE that voice of experience. I guess it's "to each his own" and for now I'll go with hubby and not insulate. But I am going to paint the ceiling because it adds light to the place.

 

[Aschenfire]

Adding light is a good idea, and being slightly froo froo is cool, I work at an electronics store and keep thinking of adding LED light strings around the bottom of my indoor cages LOL!!!! Just ... because. (For those secret raves the birds hold when I'm not home.... I KNOW WHAT YOU DO, CHICKENS!!)

 

[Yukonchick]

Just got the window installed and stained my coop yesterday. Pretty well done. Just have to build a few nest for when my hens begin laying.

 

[Yukonchick]

I've got two solar lamps hanging in my coop cause the daylight hours are very short up here in the Yukon. Check out all my photos in my profile.

 

[Aschenfire]

Super cute!!

 

[clogan98]

I've got two solar lamps hanging in my coop cause the daylight hours are very short up here in the Yukon. Check out all my photos in my profile.

Does the plastic owl you have outside your coop help? I don't think we have a hawk problem here but my mom sells the hawk and owl decoys so maybe I should ask her for one.

 

[Yukonchick]

I've got chicken wire overtop my chicken run to protect them. We have a whole lot of birds of prey up here. I imagine it would work especially if the eyes on the decoy are bright and sparkly. Birds a have really good eyes so the more realistic and alive the decoy looks then the better. We,ve got weasels here and it must be working cause i haven't had any problems with them yet, but i did have a bear problem a couple weeks ago. A small one that i set the dogs on. Heres a pic of him after he ran up a tree. I couldn`t shoot him though cause he looked so skinny and pathetic,

 

[KathyJB]

Adding light is a good idea, and being slightly froo froo is cool, I work at an electronics store and keep thinking of adding LED light strings around the bottom of my indoor cages LOL!!!! Just ... because. (For those secret raves the birds hold when I'm not home.... I KNOW WHAT YOU DO, CHICKENS!!)

I haven't added electric lights yet, just the white paint. It really made things brighter in there whereas before it was kinda dark. I have some wall sconces I want to put on the froo-froo side and hold on...here it comes...I'm putting in a pink overstuffed chair in there and covering it with a slipcover made out of cloth feed sacks

I may even hang "art" Oh and the tin garbage cans with feed for the chickens and dogs. Trying to influence my birds to behave.


so...your birds like to do things on the sly too? I like the led lights, no heat and energy efficient plus it might help with spotting snakes that slink in there to crash the party.