my first coop - pallet/insulation question

[spiritpots]

I live in Minnesota and am working on plans to build my first coop to accommodate 5-6 chickens. My plan is to build a 24 sq.ft. coop, which from what I have read is the advised 4 sq.ft. of coop space per hen. There will also be a 72 sq.ft. attached, covered run for the chickens when they are not able to free range. I have access to an abundance of non-treated wooden pallets that I want to use to frame the floor and walls of the coop and I will cover the pallets themselves with cedar. I plan to build a walk-in coop for ease of cleaning, etc. but know that by doing so (as compared to a raised coop of the same size) will create additional airspace that will need to be kept warm during the winter. I understand the importance of year-round ventilation of a coop but I'm wondering if it would be recommended that I insulate the coop given it's size (4'W x 6'D x 7'H at roof peak) and my location. If insulation is recommended, should I place it between the pallet walls throughout the coop or in just a few areas? If I don't add insulation will the two layers of wood on the pallet walls (sandwiched between the cedar) insulate sufficiently? Or perhaps putting cedar on both interior and exterior pallet walls would make the space too tight... maybe it would be best to put cedar on the exterior only and leave the pallet showing on the inside coop walls. Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[jthornton]

Insulation in a coop is a waste of time and money, a properly ventilated coop is what the chickens need. Chickens produce a lot of moisture from pooping and breathing that needs to have a quick way out. Getting the moisture out is what prevents frost bite. Read the Modern Fresh Air Poultry House book.

JT

 

[spiritpots]

Thank you, JT. Great information in the book!

 

[JDN]

Moisture rises. Face your coop's biggest opening S/SE. It doesn't matter what direction the run is in relation, obviously, but it does seem to confuse people.

Are you doing a shed roof or hipped/gable roof?

 

[spiritpots]

Yes, I have faced the biggest opening S/SE. The coop and part of the run will be under a gable roof with an additional area of the run under a shed roof.

 

[Jess89]

I know this is probably a dumb question with an obvious answer. But I am new to owning chickens. Why does the biggest opening need to be facing S/SE?

 

[cavemanrich]

I know this is probably a dumb question with an obvious answer. But I am new to owning chickens. Why does the biggest opening need to be facing S/SE?

It all depends on the type of coop you decide to build. The orientation of S/SE most likely comes from building a WOOD'S COOP. If you look these up, you will see that the front is completely open. Proper orientation is to prevent prevailing winds from causing drafts in these coops. This is of course intended for most of North American continent. If you build a Woods coop somewhere else in the world, your orientation would be designated by the areas prevailing winds. The other part of the orientation is to MAXIMIZE the SUN'S warmth.

You can build your own coop and face it any way your yard configurations allow. Key factor is to place proper ventilation well above chicken roost area. Your goal is to provide air movement, but not such that would ruffle your chickens feathers.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[wamtazlady]

Always remember that a warm chicken is a dry chicken and a dry chicken is a warm chicken. As has been said, you need ventilation to keep the moisture out of the coop and thereby keeping the chickens warm. Insulation is also a great place for rodents like mice to find a nice warm home for the winter. Chickens can handle cold better than hot summer days. It's that wonderful down blanket they carry around with them. My girls are outside in the run every single day even when it was -22 F.

 

[Jess89]

Always remember that a warm chicken is a dry chicken and a dry chicken is a warm chicken. As has been said, you need ventilation to keep the moisture out of the coop and thereby keeping the chickens warm. Insulation is also a great place for rodents like mice to find a nice warm home for the winter. Chickens can handle cold better than hot summer days. It's that wonderful down blanket they carry around with them. My girls are outside in the run every single day even when it was -22 F.

Wow! Thank you and I was worried about our rare worst winter days
1 F. Sometimes colder but very rare. I would DIE!!!