So we are starting our first coop build this weekend. My husband is back and forth on if we should insulate or not. We are on the south shore of Nova Scotia, we are not on the water but near it. Our winters are cold and damp. -20c I’d say or colder on some of our coldest days. We know we need ventilation and I’ve read the girls will keep themselves warm but still wondering what everyone thinks?
I have an article on cold weather coop building that you might like. (Link in my signature line)
-20C is at the limit in my book, as to if you need insulation.
(But is the -20 with windchill, is the -20 the real temp but just a brief dip? Or is it -20 or more for a few weeks or more at a time?)
Insulation would be very nice, in my opinion needed, if you stay at -20 or below (real temp) for weeks at a time, or if you dip into the -20 regularly and have a bunch of wind as well.
The one huge issue though with insulation, is if you put insulation in the floor or walls... you need to build carefully to keep it rodent free.
It is much easier to insulate a roof... and keep it free of pests.
Also... it is a BEAR to keep the chickens healthy in cold temps with high humidity.
You need clean bedding, I highly recommend poop shelves lined with a feed sack. Then you can lift out the feed sack and pop off the poo, even when frozen solid.
Super wide perches, and safe landing zones from the perches are very important.
Also, do you already have the birds?
With my high ambient humidity and cold temps, I just can not keep comb points or wattle edges from freezing...
I have switched to breeds with less likely to freeze comb types etc.
Also feathered feet in damp snow! If you have any girls with feathered feet... roof the run completely.
