How well does tarp insulate a small coop?

[Mrs. K]

When people talk insulation, they are often thinking warm, keeping birds warm. It is a non issue, birds in a healthy state, on adequate food, can keep themselves warm in pretty cold weather.

What is important is protections from the wind. Think on your own experience, if you have ever been outside, but stepped into a wind shelter, immediately much warmer. That is what you want, wind protection. However, you do not want air tight, as that causes moisture build up. I frankly think that using a tarp, it would be nearly impossible to get it air tight.

Mrs K

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I live in Missouri.
Here is the coop

 

[katieuppi]

We cover one side of our enclosed run with a tarp during the winter as a windbreak. In the summer we hang a share on one side of the run to provide additional shade. A tarp won't insulate against cold.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't think that tarp will do much to hold in heat, it'll just hold in moisture, which is something you want to avoid. Maybe plywood cut to fit would be a better option?