How do you prepare chicken tractors for winter?

[lablover]

This is my chicken coop. I have 6 adult chickens that free range during the day and sleep in this. There are 2 roosts in the coop, and a tarp can cover both of them. With the way the coop is facing, the wind blows to the side so that the tarp blocks the wind. The food is placed under the nest box, and stays completely dry when the tarp touches the ground on both sides. My concern though, is for the ventilation the chickens need. How should I prepare this coop for winter?

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc512/tugger10/100_4816.jpg

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would have a couple of suggestions but by no means do you have to reply to this post:

Chicken wire isn't raccoon proof. So 1/2 inch hardware cloth is basically the only wire that will keep out rats, weasels, and other varmints that like to eat chickens. For digging predators, an apron of hardware cloth is handy (you can see pics of these by googling "hardware cloth apron coop."

Depending on your winters, I'd say they need a huddle box. If you simply place a tiny box in there big enough for all to get in and get onto a roost (like a dog house with a roost pole in there), it will make them very much more comfortable as they can huddle together and not be sleeping in their nest boxes for warmth. You don't want them to poo in the nest boxes.

Just suggestions and I hope you can use this info.!

 

[lablover]

This is a picture of the coop when it was just finished. It now has hardware cloth on it and wire on the bottom. I haven't heard of huddle boxes though.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

This is a picture of the coop when it was just finished. It now has hardware cloth on it and wire on the bottom. I haven't heard of huddle boxes though.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/600782/new-grow-out-pen
Fourth pic down has an idea although some people just use cardboard. Anything helps if it reduces the draft of air around them.

Oh OK I am glad you have hardware cloth after all! Many don't know about chicken wire and raccoons is why I like to tell anyone who will listen about it, LOL.