DLM/Bedding for raised house?

[Kisska]

• gale65 We live in Northern Utah and it does get cold here with some snow. The door is not the only door in the coop. If I close it off then the chickens don't go under the coop at all to have more space. Should that be ok on cold snowy days? I just want them to have more space to stretch and not get bored. =)

 

[gale65]

So the underneath part just adds to coop space, and not run space? How much room do they have in the coop without the downstairs?

 

[Kisska]

It is a sort of a run, that's just under it. My chickens roam my yard morning till night, I have their run's door open at all times, my yard is fenced and no other pets. I am attaching a picture to make more sense.
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[gale65]

I think I'd leave it open all the time. I don't think the temp will hurt them either way. The coop looks to be on the small side so they might like the extra space in the winter when it's too snowy to go outside. It would be nice for them to go downstairs and get fresh air without having to get their tootsies snowy. Or not as snowy. I'm guessing the snow won't be as bad under there unless there's a lot of wind and drifting. .

 

[Kisska]

Thank you so much for your answers! =)

 

[coolcanoechic]

Wow, That's a great coop! Very pretty. I live in New Hampshire and the winters get pretty cold here. The birds don't seem to mind the cold very much. I make sure they are protected from the wind blowing. One thing I noticed with chickens, is that they hate to step in the snow. If you want to let them stretch their legs in the winter, you may have to shovel out an area for them to walk in.

I use the deep litter method in my coop and run. However, I use chopped straw mulch, not shavings. I just stir it around once a day. It lasts a long time, and there is only the smell of straw when I open the coop door. I tried sand when I first started out with chickens, but found myself constantly scooping it out more than I cared for. It also raised a ton of dust as the chickens loved to dust bathe in it.

 

[akovia]

kisska, you might consider temporary wind covers for the under coop area during storms. That way your girls could find snow free cover. It would also provide space for a portable dustbath box for use when the rest of your yard is snow covered. Lovely looking coop!

 

[Tika75]

kisska, you might consider temporary wind covers for the under coop area during storms. That way your girls could find snow free cover. It would also provide space for a portable dustbath box for use when the rest of your yard is snow covered. Lovely looking coop!

I was thinking the same thing. Even if you just closed in three of the sides it would give them some protection from the snow/wind. I'm guessing the doors/windows will be closed during the winter on your coop. I'm wondering if you could use Plexiglas or what they use for greenhouses around the bottom. It would close in the bottom, make it warmer, and give them light. Thoughts?