Winterizing a coop in the Midwest of the US

[Luckystar4601]

Hey y'all, I have a 10' x 14' shed that I'm converting into a coop. Anyone have any ideas on how to insulate and vent it while keeping the structural integrity? I have a picture of the shed too!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What part of the Midwest? I would cut big windows in it covered with hardware cloth. Fresh air is critical, warmth is not.

 

[Luckystar4601]

What part of the Midwest? I would cut big windows in it covered with hardware cloth. Fresh air is critical, warmth is not.

Missouri, were starting to get our spring but last winter was pretty harsh. My house is also on the top of a hill so it's super windy too.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm in Missouri and on top of a hill. All of my buildings are uninsulated (though none are metal). But every time I build one, the windows get much bigger. My last two buildings have huge windows on both East and West walls that take up between 1/4 and 1/3 of the wall. They are at roost height and the wind blows right through year round. Fresh air is what keeps chickens healthy, not warmth. I've had chickens sleeping in trees in all weather, sometimes through rain and snow in below freezing wind. They were among the most vigorous of the birds.
Not a sniffle to be heard.
However none of my birds have ever had a respiratory illness.
Those problems come from closed up coops.

 

[Luckystar4601]

I'm in Missouri and on top of a hill. All of my buildings are uninsulated (though none are metal). But every time I build one, the windows get much bigger. My last two buildings have huge windows on both East and West walls that take up between 1/4 and 1/3 of the wall. They are at roost height and the wind blows right through year round. Fresh air is what keeps chickens healthy, not warmth. I've had chickens sleeping in trees in all weather, sometimes through rain and snow in below freezing wind. They were among the most vigorous of the birds.
Not a sniffle to be heard.
However none of my birds have ever had a respiratory illness.
Those problems come from closed up coops.

Now my next thing is, I have ducks, guineas, and turkeys. What about them?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm not sure about guineas but ducks and probably turkeys are even more cold hardy.