To insulate or not to insulate?

[getandistr]

So I have seen arguments both ways so far... To give a little more detail I plan to house Australorps. Also since I am already wiring it up lamp in there for more light during winter I will also put in a small heat lamp so that can turn on if it does get cold. I think after doing some more research I am more worried about the heat then the cold. It seems that ventilation is key to controlling the heat so I am not sure if the insulation will matter too much. Also what would be more draft proof, using 3/4 plywood or 1x4 slates?

 

[meowteri2]

I put aluminum padded blanket in the roof rafters. I think I is called reflectix. I has helped keep the plywood in the coop under the roof alot cooler.

 

[ChrisG]

Quote:
Since a 1x4 actually measures 3/4 x 3-1/2 you are dealing with the same thickness as 3/4 plywood. And since I imagine you will be using 4x8 sheets of plywood, you will have far fewer seams than using 1x4. I believe when people use 1x for the exterior they use something larger like a 1x8 or 1x10 then cover the seams with another piece like a 1x2. Board and batten is what it is called. Here are a few examples:


http://blog.buildllc.com/2008/07/board-batten-siding/

http://www.hanklelumber.com/board-batten-siding.html

 

[ranit]

Ventilation is a key factor even in winter. If your coop is too airtight moisture builds up inside and that combined with the cold can cause frostbitten combs. Heat lamps can also be detrimental if over used as the birds will not feather up good for the winter as nature intended. I'm in Illinois and do not have insulation or a heat lamp in my coop - just plenty of straw in the winter for them to huddle in if they want. I use the heated water bases to keep the waterers thawed.

 

[TDM]

Quote:
Each bird will produce about 40 to 50 btu. We insulate our coops, especially the roof, because if you don't then you will get ice buildup on the ceiling and walls. We use a soffit and ridge vent system to keep the roof cold.

Chickens can stand cold temperatures, however it is not conducive to egg production. We have a contract to meet, and can't meet the conditions with freezing hens and frozen eggs.

 

[JackE]

Quote:
Each bird will produce about 40 to 50 btu. We insulate our coops, especially the roof, because if you don't then you will get ice buildup on the ceiling and walls. We use a soffit and ridge vent system to keep the roof cold.

Chickens can stand cold temperatures, however it is not conducive to egg production. We have a contract to meet, and can't meet the conditions with freezing hens and frozen eggs.

If you are getting frost on the ceiling and walls, You don't have enough ventilation. Chickens put out alot of CO2. If you don't have enough ventilation to remove it, it condenses and freezes on the walls during the wintertime. In addition, you can possibly have frostbite problems from the excess humidity. Like I said in my post. The whole front of my coop is open, year round. I have ZERO insulation. During the winter, I have ZERO frost on my coops walls and ZERO frostbite problems. And I had BRs with tall combs in there.
Jack

 

[AlienChick]

Quote:
x2

 

[Kimmiejean]

I insulated mine and it didn't seem to make that much difference believe it or not. I had a thermometer in there for awhile and it was the same temperature outside as it was in (I have lots of venting though). We'll see what this winter brings though....I have australorps and they are suppose to be a cold hardy bird, I guess I'm gonna find out

 

[ll]

Quote:
^ that reflectix aluminum blanket sounds very good

If you are getting frost on the ceiling and walls, You don't have enough ventilation. Chickens put out alot of CO2. If you don't have enough ventilation to remove it, it condenses and freezes on the walls during the wintertime. In addition, you can possibly have frostbite problems from the excess humidity. Like I said in my post. The whole front of my coop is open, year round. I have ZERO insulation. During the winter, I have ZERO frost on my coops walls and ZERO frostbite problems. And I had BRs with tall combs in there.
Jack

^ Thanks for the info Jack.
I want to have the front of ours open with a window and 2 vents too.
Yours "watching the weather" makes me smile, that's what I do and want my chicks to do too.

We are constructing ours, and insulated only because we used a pre-existing metal shed. I did not want condensation on the roof that metal sheds can get and I went around with spray foam installation first to fill all open seams/holes before we put the insulation up.

I have photos on my byc page

 

[TDM]

Quote:
It is H2O that condenses, and not CO2. You (Maryland) are also in a mild climate compared to northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan.