To insulate or not

[Slaphappy]

Willing be constructing first coop in a couple months .I am in the planning phases . I live in upper Illinois .My question is about insulation. Is it needed? Am I over thinking it? Is it bad for our hot summers? It cannot hurt for our cold winters .Help!?! Thanks in advance .

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You'll get lots of opinions. I've thought about it but as yet have had 6 buildings for chickens and have never insulated. If you plan on heating, insulation is important but without heat, I feel that there isn't more than a couple degree difference in an insulated or un-insulated building.
I don't think it would be a problem in summer as long as ventilation is sufficient.
The size, shape, openings and location of a building will dictate what is needed.
Keep the building out of direct sun if possible.
Sun won't improve conditions at 5AM on January 15 in the northern hemisphere. On the other hand, a sunny location by 5PM on July 15 is a problem.

 

[Mimi13]

Sun won't improve conditions at 5AM on January 15 in the northern hemisphere. On the other hand, a sunny location by 5PM on July 15 is a problem.

This was funny to me, but so true.

I did insulate my coop, but probably only did the walls because I already had the insulation. I did insulate the roof for two reasons: 1) the roof is tin and the condensation would have dripped into the coop which would have been a no go. 2) during the summer our barn gets incredibly hot on that tin roof and it’s miserable in there. We have to run a huge industrial fan to keep it a decent temp on those 100+ days, when the heat indices are 110 or more. Ugh! I’m already making myself dread summer. But I HATE cold weather.

 

[flyin-lowe]

There are people a lot further north then you that have coops without insulation, many with only 3 walls. Ventilation is more important they insulation and not sure how effective insulation will be if you have open windows, pop doors, etc. I am in Indiana and my coop has 4 windows, a pop door, ridge vent, and all the eaves are open. These have all been opened for three years and have had no issues. The last few winters we have had plenty of stretches of weather below zero with wind chill temps up to -30. As someone mentioned above I did put the thin insulation under my tin roof to keep it from dripping on the hens and I do have mice that get up there and tear it up. The insulation would cause more rodent problems then it would help. Assuming your not planning to get some bread of chicken that is not cold hardy...

 

[Slaphappy]

Thank so much for all your experiences and advice. I plan on making a a traditional plywood shingled roof. i also plan on having 4 open windows. so i see your point @flyin-lowe i also see your point on mice activity. Breeds I plan on having are all cold hardy as i have read. Orpington, Austrolorp, Easter Egger, 2 Brahmas

 

[Alaskan]

I go over it in a bit more detail in my cold weather coop building article..

But insulation can be great, especially if you have lots of wind. It makes the coop way warmer and buffers it from temp swings both summer and winter... yes, even with lots of ventilation.

But YES rodents can make insulation and turn it into a rodent nursery.

My 1 expensive well built coop I lined with high quality hardware cloth (can't remember what gauge, but the stronger stuff.) It runs under the floor, around the bottom of the door sill and up the inside of the walls about 2 feet.

And that HAS kept out all rodents. That coop is insulated, and has zero rodents in it, and it is way warmer than my uninsulated coops.

As to your breed choices... if you have high humidity, freezing cold mud and humid prone to clumping snow, those feathered brahma feet will make you cry. Those foot feathers will make mud clumps or snow clumps around the toes. If you have a fully covered run to prevent that, or can check them every night to clean them up, then it is fine......

The Orpington and Austrolorp both have single combs that stand up, so you might lose comb points to frostbite if you have humid cold.

Can you tell I have humid cold?

I now only have chickens with clean feet, tiny combs, and tiny wattles.

 

[aart]

I plan on making a a traditional plywood shingled roof.

Plywood roof with asphalt shingles?
Building for year round weather protected ventilation is the most important.
Large roof overhangs with open eaves and ridge and/or gable vents for winter,
and top hinged windows for summer.

 

[Alaskan]

Plywood roof with asphalt shingles?
Building for year round weather protected ventilation is the most important.
Large roof overhangs with open eaves and ridge and/or gable vents for winter,
and top hinged windows for summer.

X2

And also second LARGE overhangs. Also keeps the coop and run from getting flooded in the spring if your coop isn't elevated.

 

[msmolly]

I'm in Ohio. Like you in Illinois, we are experiencing the snow vortex today. In weather like this, I am soooo... grateful I built my coop like I did. While, I did NOT insulate, I built it against the side of my Garage, so I have easy access to electricity and water. I can get into the coop to feed or clean by going through the garage. Today it is 12*F and I fed them in my pajamas! I started with a prebuilt tool shed from from Lowes. Left most of the back wall off and attached it to the back wall of garage(over a man-door that already existed there). Then I built the chicken run around that. Mine is a bit over the top, size and height wise, only because I also have peacocks. One mistake I made was having the roof of the coop (asphalt shingle) too close to the side and top on the run, so I cant get to it easily for repairs. The birds come in at night, roost on their perches and I go out to the garage in any weather and close the sliding chicken door by a pull cord hooked to the door frame. I don't even have to step into the coop. Hot summer days I have a small fan tied to the ceiling. Winter days, I have the waterer sitting in an electric water bowl to keep it from freezing (pic#3). In the past, when we have had really hard winters, I opened the coop door and let them in the garage for a few hours of exercise during days. I'm glad I did not insulate also, as I can hose down the walls in the summer for a good spring cleaning. I do highly recommend raising the coop off the ground a good 8-12 inches. Airflow underneath really keeps smell at bay and prevents problems with mold and rot. And, while not mandatory- walls and perches painted in a hard washable paint and curtains made of vinyl table cloths add a homey touch. Good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

My coop has an insulated roof, and it helps in summer to keep the coop cooler. It's also sited with shade on the west side, and summer shade on the south, thanks to trees and shrubs. We insulated some of the walls, and tore it all out over the rodent nursery issues mentioned above.
It's important to have ventilation, and shade, and winter wind protection. We cover some openings with plastic sheeting in winter, and have them open otherwise.
Look at the Woods coop design; it's the best, wish I had one!
Having a walk-in structure is best, with very good predator protection; love my concrete floor!
Mary