- May 22, 2010
- 149
- 15
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Hey, any of you Minnesota chicken keepers.
I want to know what you do and how effective it is for wintering your birds.
I live just north of International Falls, Minnesota.
A month of nights going down to 35C (-30F) is normal for January. Occasionally we get 40.
My coop is an 8x8 shed.
The ceiling is 6 ft. 4in. high.
I insulated the walls and floor 2 inch Certifoam. The coop sits slightly off ground on blocks. I figure winter snow will quickly block and insulate any chilling effects of wind going under the coop.
The ceiling has 4 inches of Certifoam.
There is a single pane slider window on the south. That will be closed for the winter.
The north wall has a 2 foot wide screened opening for spring, summer and fall ventilation. It will be sealed with plywood and 2 inch Certifoam for the winter. I plan to put a 6 inch dryer vent through that for winter ventilation. If we get a nasty Arctic blow, I will seal the vent until it is over.
Inside will be a 100W light bulb 16 hours per day. I have a 125 Watt water dish heater.
Planning on having seven Buff Orpingtons living through the winter in this coop.
Will this be enough insulation?
How about winter ventilation?
I still have a hard time reconciling insulating vs. wasting heat by ventilating to prevent humidity and ammonia build up.
I want to know what you do and how effective it is for wintering your birds.
I live just north of International Falls, Minnesota.
A month of nights going down to 35C (-30F) is normal for January. Occasionally we get 40.
My coop is an 8x8 shed.
The ceiling is 6 ft. 4in. high.
I insulated the walls and floor 2 inch Certifoam. The coop sits slightly off ground on blocks. I figure winter snow will quickly block and insulate any chilling effects of wind going under the coop.
The ceiling has 4 inches of Certifoam.
There is a single pane slider window on the south. That will be closed for the winter.
The north wall has a 2 foot wide screened opening for spring, summer and fall ventilation. It will be sealed with plywood and 2 inch Certifoam for the winter. I plan to put a 6 inch dryer vent through that for winter ventilation. If we get a nasty Arctic blow, I will seal the vent until it is over.
Inside will be a 100W light bulb 16 hours per day. I have a 125 Watt water dish heater.
Planning on having seven Buff Orpingtons living through the winter in this coop.
Will this be enough insulation?
How about winter ventilation?
I still have a hard time reconciling insulating vs. wasting heat by ventilating to prevent humidity and ammonia build up.