Soggy run

[laneylaney]

Currently our little brood are being kept safe and dry in their coop within our garage. We have just erected a very big enclosed pen outside in which will be the coop (we have pine martins, mink and foxes locally). Fermanagh where we live is wet windy and cold in the winter (summers too sometimes!) and I wonder is there anything we can insulate the inside of the wooden coop with that will give some resistance to winter conditions? The chickens have the full run of our garden. Any advice really appreciated.

[theherd123]

Hmm would polystyrene sheets work im wondering?

Im presuming that you would of course put an inner lining of wood to cover the polysterene.

[abwsco]

The coop won't need insulating. Just make sure it's waterproof and draught free. Chickens have their own duvets

[Redwing]

The trouble you would have with insulating is you would be providing more layers for red mite to hide in, if you do decide to add insulation make it removable (maybe with slot-in panels) so you can clean and dust behind it

 

I leave my Eglu doors open at all times and my two wooden houses don't even have doors! (all runs predator resistant) hens are tough little things

[laneylaney]

thanks for the suggestions. I know chickens are tough but they as they are all ex-indoor shed ( and a little ex-bat) birds I was only thinking the Fermanagh winter rain and wind might be a shock to them. Take the point about red mites though. As you can guess I am new to chickens!