Plastic or not plastic, unheated chicken coop

[Mazen]

I'm going to help build a chicken coop that won't have any direct heating installed, maybe a heat lamp. Insulated with rock wool... 95 in walls and 120 in floor and ceiling.

Wind barrier on the outside wall and air gap with the same under the sheathing.
Inside will be plywood or wood paneling as the surface layer.

Now the question is whether to use plastic, vapor barrier, or similar?

I'm thinking of skipping plastic and the barrier entirely, right or wrong?

Thanks for the answer.

 

[InsidersUnited]

The wind board/brake makes your insulation much more effective. I would have installed that and skipped the plastic. Remember to make the house tight, mice/rats love chicken coops, it's an eternal source of food...)

 

[AndersS]

No plastic and chickens have survived historically in uninsulated chicken coops. But insulation in the walls alone does no harm, it's enough to have it windproof on the outside of the insulation. However, there should also be ventilation. With natural ventilation, installing a roof cap will make it "best" for exhaust air. And as noted, make sure to seal and install a musband.

 

[Mazen]

Wind barrier/brake does make your insulation much more effective. I would have installed it and skipped the plastic. Remember to make the house tight, mice/rats love chicken coops, it's an endless source of food...)

Sounds good, any tips on wind barrier/brake?

And yes, sealing is included in the prospectus including mouseband.

 

[Mazen]

No plastic and chickens have survived historically in uninsulated chicken coops. But just insulation in the walls does no harm, it's enough with windproofing on the outside of the insulation. But there should also be ventilation. With natural ventilation, put a roof vent so it becomes "best" for exhaust air. And as noted, make sure to seal and put in musband.

True.. Roof vent? I was planning to put a regular plate vent, but maybe that's not enough?

Musband, yes, it's mentioned in the prospectus.

 

[AndersS]

Range hood is better but wall vent also gives a little.

 

[SågspånPappspikEternit]

Insulating a chicken coop with rock/glass wool is likely to result in mice having something warm and cozy to nest in. I suggest, if it must be insulated, that the walls and roof be insulated with some loose material, such as sawdust. Mice cannot burrow through it.

 

[Daniel 109]

Referring to uninsulated chicken coops without plastic as working when it comes to insulation without plastic is crazy. I wouldn't build that way.

 

[AndersS]

Plastic is not good in a chicken coop, they want it dry and cool to thrive.
You should get some of Silverudd's chickens, which are considered heritage breeds. Martin was a relative of mine.

 

[Daniel 109]

Ventilating moisture through mineral wool is directly unsuitable.

 

[AndersS]

Ventilating moisture through mineral wool is directly inappropriate.

Therefore a roof vent! And it's a henhouse, it should be unheated.

 

[Mazen]

If not stone wool/mineral wool for insulation, what to use instead? Or another solution, vapor barrier?
Sawdust is unfortunately not an option.

I'll have to look into roof lifts as it seems to be a plus solution for ventilation compared to a regular wall vent that was initially planned.

I want to give the chickens the best conditions to thrive regardless of breed

 

[Daniel 109]

Therefore a roof vent! And it's a chicken coop, it should be unheated.

What do you mean should be unheated? It depends on the ambient temperatures we're talking about. Chickens can absolutely live in heated spaces, but not in just any cold.

 

[Daniel 109]

If not stone wool/mineral wool as insulation, what to use instead? Or another solution, vapor barrier? Sawdust is unfortunately not an option.

Will have to look into roof ventilation since it seems to be a plus solution for ventilation compared to a regular wall vent that was initially planned.

Want to give the chickens the best conditions to thrive regardless of breed

Moisture barrier and mineral wool will work.

 

[Mazen]

Moisture barrier and mineral wool will work.

Okay, then I'll have to rethink... as I mentioned, I was planning to skip the barrier since the space won't be heated.