winter worries

[Jamie2017]

Hi, I am new to having chickens and this will be my first winter. I am in Ottawa, Canada so winters suck here. I have 7 cold hardy chickens, that live in a 12x10 coop. The whole building is 12x16 and is tin. The coop has an outer layer of tin and an inner layer, but no insulation in between. The ceiling is 80% covered with tin and the rest is open to the roof ( which is shingles). I'm not sure what winter prep I should be doing. I know drafts are bad and its definitely not, and it has good ventilation. Also the roosts are 2x4s so they can cover their toes. I just don't know if I should insulate it or make a small insulated section around the roosts for them to stay warmer. Any suggestions

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Hello,

I remember going through the same thing last year and the year before with my birds. Each time I got a new type of bird I'd freak out come winter. I'm in New England U.S.A so winter can be back, although it sure can't touch Canadian winters! If your breeds are cold hardy, healthy, have access to fresh water, clean food, and housing without being drafty and dirty they'll be grand. If your shed is metal and has the sun on it plenty that will help to naturally keep it warmer inside the coop. Like a car in the sun just no where nearly as hot. Insulation is always a plus but not needed.

 

[aart]

Hi, I am new to having chickens and this will be my first winter. I am in Ottawa, Canada so winters suck here. I have 7 cold hardy chickens, that live in a 12x10 coop. The whole building is 12x16 and is tin. The coop has an outer layer of tin and an inner layer, but no insulation in between. The ceiling is 80% covered with tin and the rest is open to the roof ( which is shingles). I'm not sure what winter prep I should be doing. I know drafts are bad and its definitely not, and it has good ventilation. Also the roosts are 2x4s so they can cover their toes. I just don't know if I should insulate it or make a small insulated section around the roosts for them to stay warmer. Any suggestions

Welcome to BYC!
Just the inner and outer sheathing should provide some 'insulation'.
I wouldn't worry about an insulated roost shelter unless your lows go to -20F(-28C) regularly.

Is the inner sheathing tin also?
What kind of ventilation do you have....some pics would really help here.
Where are the roosts in relation to the vents?
What are your lows, without windchill, in winter?

Do you have a plan for keeping their water thawed?

 

[Jamie2017]

Welcome to BYC!
Just the inner and outer sheathing should provide some 'insulation'.
I wouldn't worry about an insulated roost shelter unless your lows go to -20F(-28C) regularly.

Is the inner sheathing tin also?
What kind of ventilation do you have....some pics would really help here.
Where are the roosts in relation to the vents?
What are your lows, without windchill, in winter?

Do you have a plan for keeping their water thawed?

The inner walls are tin too. The roof has two spinning vents and an exhaust fan. I also have on the back wall a few screened in openings I can open and close. Also 4 windows I can open when needed. The winters here can easily stay below -20C for an extended time. I purchased a K&H Manufacturing Thermo-Poultry Waterer for the winter.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

View attachment 1117610 View attachment 1117611 View attachment 1117612

The inner walls are tin too. The roof has two spinning vents and an exhaust fan. I also have on the back wall a few screened in openings I can open and close. Also 4 windows I can open when needed. The winters here can easily stay below -20C for an extended time.

Can I move into your coop? That's living in luxury in the chicken world. No doubt about it

 

[Jamie2017]

when we purchased our house this building was here and used for pigeons. It took a lot of changes to make it for chickens but them seem very happy.

 

[tigger19687]

Well if Pigeons were there before I am sure the hens will be happy

Not sure if this is fully true, but I am told that Metal will make for more condinsation on the inside of the building.
I think to help combat that is to make sure there is an Upper vent to take away the moisture. They do that in Bee keeping hives for Winter here in Snow country (depending on what type of hive you have).

 

[aart]

Well if Pigeons were there before I am sure the hens will be happy.

Not sure if this is fully true, but I am told that Metal will make for more condinsation on the inside of the building.

Agrees ....if pigeons did well, I'd leave it as is.

The double sheathing may insulate enough not to create condensation,
but you won't know for sure until the cold hits.