Newbie getting ready for winter - Insulating? Closing down Windows?

[MaggieRose2001]

Hi. This is my first time owning chickens. We built a coop this summer. Now that it is getting into the 50's here in Maine, I am starting to become concerned for winter. I know there are a lot of posts concerning this - but I was hoping to get more specific help concerning my coop. After all my research, I don't intend on heating my coop. We have a lot of power outages here and I just don't think it's a good idea for my situation. I also have a covered, attached run that I plan on wrapping in plastic to keep the snow out and to help protect against wind so they can spend time outside this winter. I also thought that would help with the coop as well.

My coop is 4'X8'. It has 4" ventilation running along the entire top of both 8' sides - right under the roof. On top of that I have two windows on the 4' walls. These windows, unfortunately are at roost level. I didn't consider this when I was building and designing our coop in the heat of the summer. I was thinking I would put plastic over those windows - They also have shutters that close - but I didn't know if the extra ventilation would be good during the day and if I should try and put curtains instead so they are not permanently blocked. I also have a big window in the front, but it is just glass for light - no ventilation.

The coop is just built out of panel siding that is .35" and it has metal roofing. Do I need to insulate it? Right now at midnight - it is 50 degrees outside and it is 50 degrees in the coop. So no difference between outside temperature and that of the coop. I have 10 chickens in there, btw. Well, 2 of them are Polish - so more like 8 1/2. I have a lot of cardboard boxes in the basement - would putting those up against the walls help? Do I need to cover them so the chickens don't eat them?

Aside from wondering if I should insulate - I am also concerned about condensation on the metal roof. I intend on doing deep litter (at least I think that is what it is called - where you just keep adding more bedding when you notice a smell). I have researched that doing that during the winter using hay/straw will help to insulate and keep the coop more warm. But I don't want it to get wet from condensation drops from the ceiling.

Summary:

- what should I do about the windows next to the roosts?
- what should I do about the metal roof?
- Do I need insulation?
- Do I have enough ventilation without the windows - do I have too much - should I stuff rags in some of the soffit ventilation?

Thank you for your time and help. I really appreciate it.

 

[DobieLover]

Very nice job on the coop and run! It looks completely predator proof. I assume you installed a predator apron and I can't see it under the soil. Correct?

I would also leave the pop door open year round to promote better air circulation by allowing fresh dry air to enter through the pop door and push stale damp air out through the high vents.

The only issue I see with your plan is doing deep litter. For deep litter to work, it really does better on the ground. So you would actually be doing deep bedding. But by not removing the nightly poop load, moisture will build up in the coop and may very well condense on the roof and drip back down on the birds. You can leave things as is and see how your first winter goes but I'd be inclined to install a poop board under the roost. The problem is, it would partially block the nest boxes.

When you wrap the run, leave the top of the short wall open. The triangular section. That will allow more ventilation. I have a mono-pitched roof on my run and I leave the triangle open on the end. Some snow does get in, but it's not a big deal.

The window next to the roost would need to be closed for winter. I would just close the shutters and that's it.

There is a chance the metal roof will sweat.

You certainly do not need to install insulation. I'm in NY, we get sub-zero stretches overnight (we've gone as low as -23 since having chickens) and they all do fine.

The key is to keep the coop as dry as possible with no drafts directly on the roosted birds that is strong enough to open feathers. With your ventilation position, you shouldn't have a problem. You can always install baffles if you need to.

Definitely do not block off any of the ventilation. I calculated just over 6 square feet of permanently open ventilation. As long as you keep up on removing the poop load and keeping the coop dry, I think they'll do fine.

The birds will still come out during the winter. What have you added to the run since completing the coop? Do you have perches in there, things to fly up on, a good substrate for them to scratch around in and dust bathe in?

Do you have power out there? You will want to heat the drinking water. I keep all the water in the run because the pop door stays open in my setup permanently.

 

[MaggieRose2001]

Hi. Thank you so much for the reply and compliments. Yes - I do have a predator apron - but can animals dig in the frozen ground?
In the run, I have three stair stepping stumps as their ladder from the coop door. I have a dust bathing area, and a perch. I plan on putting more perches higher up in the next few weeks.
On the floor, I put down wood pellets and shavings that I was going to use in the coop but decided to use Koop Clean instead. And then I also put some of the coop hay in there when I cleaned out the coop last time.
I don’t have electricity, but I was planning on running an extension cord for the water. I too keep their water and food in the run and plan to do so throughout the winter.
Any suggestions on the run are always welcome!

 

[3KillerBs]

Here are some good articles in addition to the excellent info you've already got:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[MaggieRose2001]

Here are some good articles in addition to the excellent info you've already got:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

Thank you. I will read them now.

 

[MaggieRose2001]

Very nice job on the coop and run! It looks completely predator proof. I assume you installed a predator apron and I can't see it under the soil. Correct?

I would also leave the pop door open year round to promote better air circulation by allowing fresh dry air to enter through the pop door and push stale damp air out through the high vents.

The only issue I see with your plan is doing deep litter. For deep litter to work, it really does better on the ground. So you would actually be doing deep bedding. But by not removing the nightly poop load, moisture will build up in the coop and may very well condense on the roof and drip back down on the birds. You can leave things as is and see how your first winter goes but I'd be inclined to install a poop board under the roost. The problem is, it would partially block the nest boxes.

When you wrap the run, leave the top of the short wall open. The triangular section. That will allow more ventilation. I have a mono-pitched roof on my run and I leave the triangle open on the end. Some snow does get in, but it's not a big deal.

The window next to the roost would need to be closed for winter. I would just close the shutters and that's it.

There is a chance the metal roof will sweat.

You certainly do not need to install insulation. I'm in NY, we get sub-zero stretches overnight (we've gone as low as -23 since having chickens) and they all do fine.

The key is to keep the coop as dry as possible with no drafts directly on the roosted birds that is strong enough to open feathers. With your ventilation position, you shouldn't have a problem. You can always install baffles if you need to.

Definitely do not block off any of the ventilation. I calculated just over 6 square feet of permanently open ventilation. As long as you keep up on removing the poop load and keeping the coop dry, I think they'll do fine.

The birds will still come out during the winter. What have you added to the run since completing the coop? Do you have perces in there, things to fly up on, a good substrate for them to scratch around in and dust bathe in?

Do you have power out there? You will want to heat the drinking water. I keep all the water in the run because the pop door stays open in my setup permanently.

Hi. I thought I replied to your post (I’m new to posts and threads as well as chickens ). My reply is in the thread. Thank you again for your help.

 

[Mfr422]

I have a coop similar to yours with a metal roof, only my roof is peaked. I close off the windows and leave the pop door open all winter. I use deep bedding with pine shavings and have not had any moisture issues in the coop even when they stay in there a lot during cold spells. The ventilation at the top of your coop will work fine.

 

[MaggieRose2001]

I have a coop similar to yours with a metal roof, only my roof is peaked. I close off the windows and leave the pop door open all winter. I use deep bedding with pine shavings and have not had any moisture issues in the coop even when they stay in there a lot during cold spells. The ventilation at the top of your coop will work fine.

Thanks for the reply. When you say you leave the pop door open - does that include at night? I usually wait until the chicks put themselves to bed and then I go out and close the door. My run has hardware cloth and a skirt - but it just gives me peace of mind. Should I leave it open in the winter for better ventilation?
I like your picture, btw.

 

[RoyalChick]

If it is the same temperature inside and out and there is enough ventilation you shouldn't get any condensation on the roof. If you do, it suggests not enough ventilation.
I wouldn't bother with insulation. I am in NJ and it gets plenty cold here - my roost has a window right in front of it and all I do is close the bottom portion of the window so there isn't a draft right on them at night (I leave the top of the window open).
Love the look of your coop - nicely done.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Hopped in to answer this with the experience of others in cooler climates (not for me!), but @DobieLover and @3KillerBs have already offered excellent advice, while @RoyalChick has described the importance of ventilation in keeping the coop temp closely balanced with the outside, thus avoiding condensation issues.

So I'll add only that BYC has posters raising chickens with no heat in Alaska, Canada, and the like at true temps of -30F, sometimes worse. WHat we humans consider cold, and what our down jacket wearing chickens consider cold, are two radically different things.

Also, good looking build!