Vapor Barrier for Unfaced Insulation and Fastener Questions

[21hens-incharge]

I will have 15 chickens, which 5 are leghorns. I could leave the overhang uncovered, will that be enough ventilation? Temps get quite low here, below zero is not unusal.

My main concern is the vapor barrier and the insulation. I think insulation would be beneficial in my climate, although I am not certain about the vapor barrier.

But I will make sure to add adequate ventilation

One thing not mentioned here yet.....mice. Mice love the nice cozy spaces created by adding insulation.

A link to Dobies Mulligan coop.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-mulligan.74743/

 

[Matejka]

NO insulation! You don't need it AT ALL. All it will do is give a nice warm cozy place to for mice to nest, and you will be ripping insulation out in February. Chickens survive cold ALOT better than heat. They have down, then feathers to repel water. They will be hot and uncomfortable in an insulated coop. More, more ventilation.

 

[DobieLover]

One thing not mentioned here yet.....mice. Mice love the nice cozy spaces created by adding insulation.

A link to Dobies Mulligan coop.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-mulligan.74743/

And it wasn't called The Mulligan for no good reason!

 

[Mandy83Ala]

NO insulation! You don't need it AT ALL. All it will do is give a nice warm cozy place to for mice to nest, and you will be ripping insulation out in February. Chickens survive cold ALOT better than heat. They have down, then feathers to repel water. They will be hot and uncomfortable in an insulated coop. More, more ventilation.

Thanks! What about the bottom of the coop, under the floor? my coop will be elevated 34" off the ground for easy cleaning, so I can get my wheelbarrow under to sweep out coop. Here is a pic of base. My inital thought was to attach plywood to the under side and stuff with insulation, and then add floor. Because wind will be blowing cold air under coop all the time. Of course I will ensure any crack or crevice is sealed 100% to keep critters from nesting.

Does you comment still apply? no insulation as well to under side?
Thank you!

 

[Matejka]

Thanks! What about the bottom of the coop, under the floor? my coop will be elevated 34" off the ground for easy cleaning, so I can get my wheelbarrow under to sweep out coop. Here is a pic of base. My inital thought was to attach plywood to the under side and stuff with insulation, and then add floor. Because wind will be blowing cold air under coop all the time. Of course I will ensure any crack or crevice is sealed 100% to keep critters from nesting.

Does you comment still apply? no insulation as well to under side?
Thank you!

Will the area under the floor be accessible to the chickens? If not I would put tin/underpinning around outside of floor to stop air. If chickens will access under floor area-I still don't think I would insulate it

My inital thought was to attach plywood to the under side , and then
just wrap plastic around bottom in winter IF NEEDED. Mice love insulated areas.

 

[Mandy83Ala]

Will the area under the floor be accessible to the chickens? If not I would put tin/underpinning around outside of floor to stop air. If chickens will access under floor area-I still don't think I would insulate it

My inital thought was to attach plywood to the under side , and then
just wrap plastic around bottom in winter IF NEEDED. Mice love insulated areas.

We havent decided if the chickens will have access. We will make that decison when coop is complete and we move onto building the run.

I don't like the idea of enclosing the bottom with anything because that would be a great hiding spot for racoons, fox,and skunks. Altough, I do need to protect the floor from the wind.

If I insulate, I would ensure there is absolutly no way for critter to nest. I am worried about the cold air under the floor.

 

[21hens-incharge]

We havent decided if the chickens will have access. We will make that decison when coop is complete and we move onto building the run.

I don't like the idea of enclosing the bottom with anything because that would be a great hiding spot for racoons, fox,and skunks. Altough, I do need to protect the floor from the wind.

If I insulate, I would ensure there is absolutly no way for critter to nest. I am worried about the cold air under the floor.

You can insulate that if you want to. Having deep shavings in the coop accomplishes the same thing as insulation would though.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Leave the bottom side exposed. You don't need insulation there (reasons above), nor do you need any structural stiffness (again, well built, much respect). If you did your framing with PT lumber, you are done. If you didn't, spray the underside (framing and decking) with a good primer like Killz. I happen to prefer the Killz oil based, but in this case, i recommend the latex.

With it exposed underneath, if you do develop a moisture problem (whether leak from the top, of from bird's underneath seeking shade in the summer months), it will quickly reveal on visual inspection, and you will have easy access for immediate repairs.

Chickens, I'm told, have a remarkably poor respiratory system, considering - you don't want a leek to allow trapped moisture to maintain itself between two flooring layers and become a colony of mold...

 

[Mandy83Ala]

You can insulate that if you want to. Having deep shavings in the coop accomplishes the same thing as insulation would though.

I hate to not insulate and then have problems with super cold birds. I don't know what to do. haha

 

[Mandy83Ala]

Leave the bottom side exposed. You don't need insulation there (reasons above), nor do you need any structural stiffness (again, well built, much respect). If you did your framing with PT lumber, you are done. If you didn't, spray the underside (framing and decking) with a good primer like Killz. I happen to prefer the Killz oil based, but in this case, i recommend the latex.

With it exposed underneath, if you do develop a moisture problem (whether leak from the top, of from bird's underneath seeking shade in the summer months), it will quickly reveal on visual inspection, and you will have easy access for immediate repairs.

Chickens, I'm told, have a remarkably poor respiratory system, considering - you don't want a leek to allow trapped moisture to maintain itself between two flooring layers and become a colony of mold...

Great points! I will not insulate.

Thank you all for your help!