While you might have the luxury of a warm fire and thick blankets, your hens might be at a loss. They might have feathers; however, extremely cold weather can still affect them. This is especially true at night when temperatures drop below freezing, you might need to prepare you hens and their coop.
Insulating a coop is a great idea to increase the warmth inside the coop. Proper insulation in the cold and windy weather not leads to your chickens’ comfort, but also ensures better egg production and lowers your heating costs.
There are various breeds of chickens, some of which are better equipped to deal with the cold weather. These breeds might not require extensive insulation and a simple heater will be sufficient. However, not all chickens can deal with cold as well. Thus, insulation is imperative.
Ways to Insulate Your Chicken Coop
There are various ways through which you can insulate your chicken coop. However, out of these the most effective are the following four:
Cardboard
The first method is quite simple. In addition, the material is quite inexpensive and easily available. In fact, you might not even have to buy it. You can easily find it in every house. Thus, it can help save you money up front as well as in the long run.
The cardboard material effectively reduces any drafts and crosswinds while keeping the heat inside the hen house for your backyard chickens and their eggs.
To insulate your coop using cardboard, 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 do they keep the cold out, but they keep the heat in as well. They are best used in combination with a heat lamp.
You can add two layers of it if you feel like your chickens might need it
Pros
- Cheap
- Easily available
- Reduces drafts and winds
Cons
- Flammable
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is the perfect material for insulation as they effectively block out any cold, helping your coop keep warm during the winter months. All you need to do is collect it from a local store. In fact, you can even find it at an art& craft or home improvement store.
Then, glue down the panels on the roof as well as the four walls. However, styrofoam is easily destructible. Your chickens might peck at it which may lead to impaction. Moreover, they can destroy the material.
So, it is best to cover the styrofoam with a layer of another material such as newspaper of cardboards to ensure your hens cannot reach it.
Pros
- Easily available
- Lightweight
- Perfect for keeping heat in
Cons
- Chickens might peck at it and destroy it
Old Fabric
Fabric, such as old and used towels and blankets, are yet another great way to insulate your coop while ensuring ventilation. If they keep you warm, why wouldn’t they keep your chickens warm, too? However, finding them might be a hassle. Sure, you might have a few of them lying around, but they may be not enough to cover the entire coop.
You can try setting up a donation camp or ask your friends for any. Another method I to collect them throughout the years. Of course, you can buy new ones, but that might be a little expensive.
Use them in combination with cardboard for a more effective insulation technique.
Pros
- Insulates against the cold
Cons
- Not easily available
- Can be expensive
Straw
You might already be using bales of straw to insulate the floor of the chicken coop. However, the straw can also be used for the entire coop. In fact, many farmers have used it in this way when they had no products available.
You can stack the bales of straw up against the walls and secure it with ropes or glue. This ensures that your coop is well insulated. However, it might be harder to install and it can be easily destroyed.
Pros
- Easily available
- Very effective
Cons
- Hard to set up
- Easily destroyed
Some Other Useful Tips for an Insulated Chicken Coop
Here are a few other tips you can follow to ensure a winter-proof chicken coop:
Buy Burlap Bags
Burlap bags are a great way to reduce cold drafts and winds. Furthermore, they work as a great insulator when used around the coop. They also reduce the amount of snow around your coop.
Double Bedding
Whether you use pine shaving or simple sand, you might want to double it up. This can include increasing the depth or using two types of bedding at the same time. Use shavings, as well as gravel that traps air inside it, is a great way to insulate against the cold.
Use Nest Inserts
Nest inserts that use a wax paper at the bottom help keep your nests warm. A great tip is to not replace the old insert. Instead, add a new one on top for double insulation.
Use Curtains
Hanging curtains around nests and outside the coop can help reduce the drafts and winds.
Buy a Thermometer
A thermometer can help you keep your coop in check. Install it inside your coop and check it regularly to watch how the outside temperature is affecting the temperature inside. If the temperature is too low, you might need to add another layer of insulation.
Use a Heat Lamp
The rather obvious method is to use a heat lamp that adds more heat to the coop. It helps prevent drinking water from freezing over. Add it to one end of the coop so that the heat is in the form of a spectrum. This way your hens can choose how much heat they like.
Parting Words
Overall, an insulated chicken coop is essential in preventing frostbite and stabilizing the egg production. It can keep your chickens comfortable and snug. However, each of the four methods has its pros and cons yet they all are great insulators. So, which one is the best? You be the judge!
