How To Insulate A Chicken Coop
The weather gets cold out there in some parts of the world…
Really cold and you put on the heater inside to warm yourself up.
But what about the chickens outside you gasp?
You need to insulate the chicken coop.
Winterising Your Chicken Coop, Where To Start
You don’t really need to think about chicken coop insulation until it gets really pretty cold or when the weather gets really bad, as your chickens are pretty resistant to the colder weather, and they’re able to withstand it
As they have got plenty of feather coverage like most birds they can go through a winter without a lot of help.
But when they’re exposed to really extreme temperatures, wet weather, ice or snow you might want to get motivated and insulate them.
Do Hen Houses Need To Be Insulated For Winter?
It is a question that needs to be asked. And given that there are areas that have warmer winters than others.
This is where the question really lies…
If you have had chickens like myself, where the weather is not so cold, I have never had a problem.
But if I had chickens where the weather is getting pretty cold.
I would want to pamper them – as I don’t want to think of my feathery friends out in the cold night air shivering away.
So…
Depending on what sort of weather you have and if your area is temperate through ought the winter months, you do not have to insulate your chicken pen.
Or you do not have to go to extremes to insulate your pen if it’s just a little cold.
Winterised Coops – Happy Chickens
Winterised chicken coops…
The first thing you need to think about is that the walls of your chicken coop needs to have good insulation installed.
This will help keep the chickens warm in the winter and yes…
Also, cool in the summer.
The insulation will also help to keep the coop at optimum humidity levels.
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In colder climates when your chickens are dry they can withstand the cold well.
How Do You Insulate A Coop For The Winter?
Wintertime brings forth much thought when it comes to keeping your pets warm especially if they live outside.
One thought is that you could insulate your coop using cardboard if you have any lying around.
If you don’t, I am sure you could get your hands on some…
All you have to do is staple or tape down the cardboard cartons or sheets onto the four walls as well as the roof of the chicken coop design.
Not only does it keep the cold out, but it also keeps the heat in as well.
Now cardboard will not last a long time, but you only really need it for the winter months, and taking it off in the warmer weather is really a done thing anyway.
Of course, it is best used in a combination with a heat lamp if you have one, if not it’s easy enough to get one at a store or online these days.
Steps to Winterize the Chicken Coop
- Insulate your coop
- Eliminate those drafts
- add proper ventilation
- deep clean of the coop first
- make a dust bath for the wintertime if you want
When you think of ‘Winterising Chicken Coop’ what do you think when this comes to mind?
Do a deep clean of the chicken coop first, then put down a nice layer of bedding for them.
Either get some wood shavings or straw, this will help retain warmth in the bottom of a chicken coop.
And keep their feet warm, as you know most chickens do not have feathers on their feet, and I have often wondered when the weather is cold, surely their feet must get cold, as mine would without socks or shoes…
And if you observe when they are perched that their feet are warmed underneath their feathers.
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Although chickens do have an insulating layer of warm air between their feathers and their body, trapped in their down.
If a direct breeze is blowing on them, this insulating air is not retained and your chickens will get cold.
Sometimes you can do other things too like hanging up a moving blanket around your hen house or putting tarps over the roof as well.
Even if it’s really wet you can have a couple of hooks inside your coop which can be used for hanging either lamps or hanging water or even hanging feeders.
Large doors on chicken coops are very good for ventilation in warmer weather but when it gets cold you might want to block the wind and weather off as well.
If you have some sturdy cloth which has like kind of a country scene in it would be extra nice, and put it on top of one of the plastic sheets
How Much Ventilation Does A Chicken Coop Need In Winter?
If you are using heat lamps, although it can get cosy in the chicken coop you also need to think of the ventilation as well in this circumstance.
Winterize chicken coop…
Sure, but they also need their air as well.
So in cold climates, all open vents should be well above your bird’s highest roosting point and under a cover so that the rain or snow cannot get in.
So when winter comes you need to think of chicken coop insulation, I know that you are reading this because you care and want to look after your chickens.
So I hope you pre-plan for the wintertime, so you are not caught out and have to bring your chickens in the house because you forgot to get the winterising supplies for the chicken coop.
And then the chickens might get so used to being in the house you might never get them out…