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I agree. Look at the muddy-run page before you decide where to build.
The biggest challenges you have in cold climates are keeping water from freezing through the winter and drainage when the snow melts. If you can plan for those two problems ahead you will be happy with the results. Orps are a generally wonderful breed because they are usually calm, easy to handle when needed and don't seem, in my experience, to have health problems like internal laying and prolapse issues. They forrage well enough to keep the bugs down but don't tend to wander too far away.
Mine all went outside in the winter to stretch a bit no matter how cold it was. Try to provide a covered area for winter dust baths. I use a truck topper for this, some people have covered runs.
Welcome to BYC and I hope you have great success with your hens.
I agree. Look at the muddy-run page before you decide where to build.
The biggest challenges you have in cold climates are keeping water from freezing through the winter and drainage when the snow melts. If you can plan for those two problems ahead you will be happy with the results. Orps are a generally wonderful breed because they are usually calm, easy to handle when needed and don't seem, in my experience, to have health problems like internal laying and prolapse issues. They forrage well enough to keep the bugs down but don't tend to wander too far away.
Mine all went outside in the winter to stretch a bit no matter how cold it was. Try to provide a covered area for winter dust baths. I use a truck topper for this, some people have covered runs.
Welcome to BYC and I hope you have great success with your hens.
