The Warmest Chicken Coop is Plastic

Living in Canada, we don't just "keep" chickens; we manage their survival through some of the most drastic temperature swings on the planet. From the humid heatwaves of Southern Ontario to the -30°C windchills of the Prairies, your coop has a massive job to do.

Many people assume wood is the natural insulator and the plastic is cold, but these are myths easily busted by Omlet Eglu chicken coops. Here is why the high-grade plastic engineering of an Omlet Eglu coop is actually the warmest seat in the yard.

The Thermos Effect: Twin-Wall Insulation

Traditional wooden coops are usually made of a single layer of timber (often less than half an inch thick). Wood is porous; it absorbs moisture, and once wood is damp, it becomes a conductor for the cold rather than a barrier against it.

Omlet Eglu coops work like a high-end thermos or a double-glazed window. They use twin-wall insulation:

The Air Gap: There is a pocket of air trapped between the inner and outer plastic walls.

The Thermal Barrier: This air pocket acts as a massive buffer, making it incredibly difficult for the external freezing temperatures to penetrate the interior.

Heat Retention: Your hens are their own little heaters (their body temperature is roughly 41°C). In a twin-walled coop, that heat stays trapped inside with them instead of escaping through thin wooden slats.

Twin wall insulation of an Omlet Eglu Cube

Double walled design keeps the chickens' own body heat inside while keeping the cold outside air from penetrating

Draft-Free Ventilation (The Frostbite Secret)

The biggest threat to a Canadian chicken isn't actually the cold—it’s moisture. When hens breathe and poop at night, they release humidity. In a wooden coop with poor airflow, that moisture settles on their combs and wattles, freezes, and causes frostbite.

Engineering vs. Luck: Omlet Eglu coops are designed with "blackout" ventilation. This means air is constantly circulating to pull moisture out, but the vents are positioned so that no direct icy drafts hit your birds while they sleep.

Dry is Warm: Because plastic doesn't absorb snowmelt or rain, the interior stays bone-dry. A dry hen is a warm hen.

Draft-free ventilation on an Omlet Eglu chicken coop

Draft-free ventilation keeps the air fresh without chilling your flock

Summer Performance

Canadian weather also includes our scorching summers. That same twin-wall insulation that keeps the heat in during January keeps the sun’s radiant heat out during July. While a wooden coop can turn into a literal oven under the midday sun, the Eglu stays remarkably stable and shaded.

Mom and kid at the nesting box of an Omlet Eglu Pro

Omlet Eglu Pro stays vented and comfortable in Canadian summers

Winter Tip: While the Omlet Eglu coop is a powerhouse on its own, for those extreme -40°C nights, we recommend our Extreme Temperature Blankets. They fit the coop like a tailored parka, adding a third layer of protection for ultimate peace of mind.

Give your flock a home built for the North.

Omlet extreme weather blanket coop cover on chicken coop with snow

Extreme Temperature Blankets for the coldest nights

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Are Urban Chickens Legal in Canada?

Keeping chickens is a bylaw issue that is governed at the municipal level. Luckily, in the last decade many Canadian cities have embraced or at least examined the benefits or urban chicken keeping.

The map for backyard chickens in Canada is a bit of a patchwork. While the movement for urban eggs has grown, some major cities have hit the "pause" button due to concerns like avian flu.

If you’re looking to join the ranks of urban chicken keepers this year, here is the current (2026) status of some major Canadian hubs:

The "Yes" Cities (With Rules)

These cities have established bylaws allowing backyard hens, typically requiring a permit and a limit on the number of birds (usually 4–6).

Vancouver, BC: Still a leader in urban poultry. Residents can keep up to 4 hens (no roosters) but must register them with the city.
Edmonton, AB: A very supportive city for urban hens. They require a specific "Urban Hen Keeping Licence" and a completed training course.
Calgary, AB: Operates under an urban livestock licensing program. You’ll need to take a "Chickens 101" course and get a Premise ID (PID) from the province.
Victoria, BC: Very chicken-friendly with long-standing bylaws allowing for small backyard flocks.
Halton Hills, ON: A great example of a smaller Ontario municipality that successfully transitioned from a pilot to a permanent program.

The "Maybe" Cities (Pilot Programs & Borough Rules)

Montreal, QC: It depends on where you live! The city as a whole technically prohibits hens, but several boroughs like Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve have successful pilot projects.
Winnipeg, MB: Recently moved forward with a pilot program. Check with your specific ward to see if you qualify.

The "Paused" or "No" Cities

Toronto, ON: In a disappointing turn for 2026, Toronto’s UrbanHensTO program remains on an indefinite pause. While those already in the program were grandfathered in, no new permits are being issued due to ongoing avian flu concerns.
Ottawa, ON: Generally, backyard chickens are only allowed in areas zoned as rural or agricultural. Urban and suburban residential zones are still waiting for a permanent change.

How do I find out if my city/town allows backyard chickens? Most municipalities have their bylaws available online. A quick Google search should get you to the right website for your local bylaws. If your municipality doesn’t have them posted online, anonymously call your town/city clerk for verification. I say anonymously just in case it is illegal and you decide to keep a flock anyways. No need to be on your town’s radar.

Search your town's website for "Animal Control Bylaw."
Look for "Prohibited Animals." If chickens are on the list, it's a no-go.
Check for "Urban Hen" permits. Many towns have specific applications separate from the general bylaws.

Important Note: Even if your city allows chickens, your Homeowners Association (HOA) or your landlord might not. Always check your specific property rules before you build your coop!

What happens when if I get busted? Your local bylaw officers aren’t wandering around, peering into backyards looking for an outlawed flock of chickens. Of all the people we’ve known to get caught, it was from a neighbour calling in a complaint. Depending on where you live, you may get a warning with a requirement to cease your chicken keeping, a ticket or absolutely nothing. Most towns have better things to do than bust up backyard farms.

I want chickens, but there is a bylaw prohibiting them in my town, what should I do to keep my neighbours from turning me in? Bribes. Bribes as in fresh eggs for your neighbours! Once they taste a freshly laid egg, your neighbours will be hooked and won't dare out you to the municipality and lose their supply of delicious eggs.

Why Cleaning a Plastic Coop Isn’t Actually a Chore

If you’ve ever owned a traditional wooden chicken coop, you know the "Saturday Morning Dread." It involves a metal scraper, a face mask to avoid breathing in dust, and hours of scrubbing porous wood that never truly feels clean. By the time you’re done, you’re covered in mess, and the wood is still damp.

With an Omlet Eglu coop, the game changes entirely. Because these coops are made from high-grade, smooth-surface plastic, the waste simply doesn't "bond" to the material the way it does to plywood or pine. Here is how you get your life back:

The Slide-Out Secret: Instead of climbing inside a cramped wooden box, you simply slide out the dropping tray. Empty it straight into your compost bin, give it a quick spray, and slide it back in.
Pressure-Washer Friendly: Try pressure-washing a wooden coop and you’ll end up with a soggy, rotting mess. You can blast an Eglu with a high-pressure hose or a bucket of soapy water, and it’s sparkling in seconds.
Zero Drying Time: Wood stays damp for hours (or days in a Canadian autumn), which creates a breeding ground for mold. Plastic wipes dry instantly. Your hens can be back in their clean, dry home before you’ve even finished your morning coffee.

The Four Legs or Wings Pro-Tip: A clean coop isn't just about aesthetics; it's the #1 way to prevent mites and respiratory issues in your flock.