I have a small coop for three bantam hens. They are only just mature (one has started, and now stopped, laying - the other two are just getting red in their combs). The coop is actually a converted (huge!) rabbit coop to which I've added a run, and they also have access to the space under their coop.
I had some thoughts I wanted to run it past y'all. I don't know if they banties will be comfortable free-ranging in the three feet of snow I usually end up with in my backyard so I want to make sure their run is unobstructed by snow so they have room to stretch out & exercise during the long winter. So, I thought I'd get clear plastic tarp-type sheeting and affix it (loosely, so as to allow ventilation) around all of the wired-in run. Does this sound like a good idea? I figured it would keep the snow out, some warmth in, and not freak them out too much because they could see through it.
Also, how should I keep the cold from getting in/heat escaping regarding their ventilation windows during the winter? I thought of having a tarp affixed with velcro or whatnot that I could fasten over the windows on really cold days & nights, and roll up on nicer days.
There is also a fixture for a heat bulb that was installed for the former rabbit inhabitants, but I'm not sure if I'll need it.
Any input would be helpful!
I had some thoughts I wanted to run it past y'all. I don't know if they banties will be comfortable free-ranging in the three feet of snow I usually end up with in my backyard so I want to make sure their run is unobstructed by snow so they have room to stretch out & exercise during the long winter. So, I thought I'd get clear plastic tarp-type sheeting and affix it (loosely, so as to allow ventilation) around all of the wired-in run. Does this sound like a good idea? I figured it would keep the snow out, some warmth in, and not freak them out too much because they could see through it.
Also, how should I keep the cold from getting in/heat escaping regarding their ventilation windows during the winter? I thought of having a tarp affixed with velcro or whatnot that I could fasten over the windows on really cold days & nights, and roll up on nicer days.
There is also a fixture for a heat bulb that was installed for the former rabbit inhabitants, but I'm not sure if I'll need it.
Any input would be helpful!
