Suggestions for insulation/weatherizing old dairy barn for chickens

[Pixie]

I am cleaning out this old barn for my chicks.

I have cleaned things up since this photo, but I was wondering the best way to insulate the walls. The beams are 8x8's and there is just the wooden siding/covering on the outside. Lots of small gaps in the wood siding.





The picture shows the hardware cloth covered area which I haven't put up yet (the rake is leaning on the old chicken wire) where I am going to put the girls.



I considered using hardware cloth over the beams of the outside walls and stuffing the cavities with straw. However I was thinking that might be a bad idea with moisture, bugs, etc.

I have some house wrap/wind barrier woven plastic sheeting to use too, but I do not want to have it near the chickens as they will peck at it.


Thanks for the input!

 

[Folly's place]

A roof and shelter from wind is good. Most important is predator proofing and ventilation! Concentrate on building a very secure coop for overnight, and adequate ventilation. Having a big building to start is wonderful! Mary

 

[PapaChaz]

I'm not so sure you really even need to insulate the outside walls. You could put up osb board on the inside of the wall framing to block off drafts. As long as you keep drafts/breezes from rustling their feathers, chickens are actually pretty well suited to staying warm. There are a lot of discussions here amongst the colder climate folks about whether to insulate or not. If I was going to do it, I'd find a discount building supply or buy directly from an insulation company and use regular insulation to do it. I'd still probably put up some kind of wall to keep the chickens from picking at the insulation though

 

[Pixie]

I am leaning to getting plywood to cover all the walls. I think I am just worried about chicken popsicles in the winter.

It rained a lot here yesterday and now I am worried about too much moisture! Argh! I need a good nights sleep!

 

[JackE]

I wouldn't do anything with the walls,. Small gaps aren't going to hurt anything. You put up interior walls in a barn like that, you will provide perfect hidden living space for just about every pest under the sun. Hidden away from you, to freely come out and harass your birds any time they want.
Unless you are getting some kind of thinly feathered, exotic breed of chicken, you won't have to worry about them turning into popsicles in the winter either. Chickens are built to handle cold weather. Give them a dry, well ventilated place to live, and they'll be totally fine.

 

[Pixie]

The bard was built in 1899. There are many "spaces" to deal with. However I do have 100 feet of hardware cloth ready to nail up. My hubby said my plans looked like a chicken faraday cage! (I had to google it) *sigh*

Is there a forum for therapy of the coop-neurotic??? LOL

 

[eagrbeavr]

Ok I was just about to start a thread with almost this exact scenario. I too want to convert part of my two story barn into a coop. I have everything pretty well figured except for ventilation and drafts. Since I cant install a cupola for the venting (well I guess I could if I want it to go to the upstairs, but nah), I was thinking of putting in a stack type vent, like one on a pellet stove, and drawing the air out naturally. Or I could install a fan on a timer. Now draft. This also is an old barn, built well and still in pretty good shape. The outside walls look to be draft free. I'm converting part of what was a horse stall, with all the walls going to the first floor ceiling. I only need to add one wall to make it smaller. How sealed do I make it? One wall is a non weight bearing wall, separating what was the carriage area. Thats not sealed. In the hundred years the barns been there, the boards on that wall have shrunk slightly leaving about 1/8-1/16" gaps. Not sure it thats good natural ventilation or if its drafty. It does feel drafty with my hand up to it, I have to admit, however if I was to keep a horse in it, I wouldnt give it a second thought. I try to remember when I'm doing this, if it were other farm animals, I'd go with it. For some reason, not being familiar with chickens per say, how sensitive are they? I live in central Pa, garden zone 6. Also, it has a cement floor in it. Im happy about that, but boy is it ever still chilly in that barn. I sure wont have to worry about them getting hot in the summer. Heres a pic.

The wall going in will be facing the camera. The stall door will be corrected, the stairs taken out (Ive always hated them there anyhow!). The back wall is south facing, exterior. The wall to right also exterior, facing west. The Wall on right in the non bearing wall. I'm putting the door to run in the bottom right. I was thinking of putting the vent at the top left, near where the roost will be. I was also thinking I could drop the ceiling on the right side, creating a natural draw towards the left, where the vent would be.

Also, I have 5 birds. The area E/W 11+ and N/S will be 7+. Ceiling looks to be about 8 ft, guessing.

I could really use some advise. I want to have to do this once. I really appreciate any help. Thanks so much.

 

[eagrbeavr]

Pixie sorry if I hijacked your thread. I'm considering using hardware cloth too, or do I use plywood, whatever.

 

[Pixie]

I am all for you hijacking the thread as long as some good ideas come out of it!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Personal experience with doing inside sheeting on a ground level structure here.
The mice found it a perfect place to nest. They chose as nesting material my birds precious feathers that they chewed off my birds mercilessly as they slept.
I could not take it any longer and tore the entire structure down to build a new one with no insulation or sheeting. I found 3 wall cavities about a foot deep in feather nests from the mice and boy did they stink up the place with their pee. Nasty buggers.
I would not sheet the inside if it were me.