Vapor barrier/insulation question

[chickendude]

Here are some pics so you can picture what I am looking to do.
The coops interior is completely painted with oil base floor paint (except the ceiling).
I have 2 inch thick polystyrene foam board insulation that I may install. I would cover the foam board with plywood panels to stop the birds from eating said foam. Now one question I need answered is do I need to install a vapor barrier under the plywood and on top of the foam board to stop any moisture problems?(the coop will not be heated)

Or should I not even insulate at all?
I live in south eastern NY.
The temps do go below freezing quite a bit and many nights will be around zero or below zero degrees F.
I have 6 RIR hens and 1 Silver Laced Polish Roo. I know the RIR's are cold hardy but I'm not so sure about the Silver Laced Roo.
Any and all advice will be taken in to consideration. Thanks in advance.

 

[teach1rusl]

Personally, I would insulate everywhere I could, but for certain the ceiling at a minimum. I see two narrow vents...are there more? I put no moisture barrier in my coup, and have read about others saying it's not needed either. Your coop looks nice and tight (very well built

), so as long as you have adequate ventilation, I would make it as snug as possible, especially since you already have the foam board....

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
You do not *have* to insulate, but you will not regret doing it. I would for sure insulate. Makes everyone's life (the chickens' and yours) much easier.

You might consider installing more vents. That's pretty minimal there... it *might* be enough but it easily might not be, no way to tell for sure in advance, and it will be waaaaay more of a pain to add vents a) in the middle of winter and b) with insulation already in place.

For insulating, vapor barrier is for sure not necessary, and I would argue that it is not desirable either. (Mildly so. It would not be the end of the world if you put one on; I just think it's better left off. I won't go into the whole rationale here but suffice to say that a coop does not function under the same conditions as a house)

Good luck, have fun, cute coop,

Pat

 

[chickendude]

Thank you teach1rusl and patandchickens.

I will use the foam board and go with out the vapor barrier. You both make allot of sense when you say it cant hurt to have the insulation. As for the vents there are 4 of those thin vents I think they measure 3in x 12in. Those are open all of the time. the large door has a separate fold down door which has a hardware cloth cover. This door stays open all summer long. So the ventilation during warmer weather is plenty.I thought the 4 vents up high would give me good ventilation during the winter months. But if the two of you feel I need more please let me know! How do you think my Polish roo will do in an unheated coop? Again thank you both for the help and your kind compliments on the coop.

 

[teach1rusl]

Well...Pat is the resident BYC expert on ventilation, but I think that 4 of those vents would be enough (7 chickens total, right?) for winter, and you will definitely have enough for summer with the fold down door. Up high is good with the vents, because you want the warm, moist air to flow up and out.

I have no experience with Polish hardiness, so I would repost that question separately under another topic heading... Good luck!

 

[chickendude]

Quote:
Yes 7 chickens.
Thank you

 

[ryanyogi]

Be careful with the foam board, they seem to like to peck at it and eat it.

 

[Folly's place]

I think more ventilation would be good; consider a hardware cloth window in the door, as high as possible, at least. Dampness is way more of a problem than cold. Insulation will help keep the coop cooler in summer, a very good thing. Mary

 

[CrazyTalk]

I absolutely regret insulating my duck shed. It was a waste of a couple hundred dollars and a whole lot of time (pulling down the paneling, putting the insulation in, and putting it back up). The money could have been better used in an awful lot of places

My chicken coop is not insulated, and one side is basically 8'x8' of wire.