I am a retired nurse and I am raising chickens for the first time. I have 3 children 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I enjoy my chickens

[BrendaThomas]

My chicken run is wet can I put pine sawdust and shavings on the ground and it be ok for them. Also Do I need to shut them in every night during cold weather there coop is insulated and not that big, and we have plastic around the outside of the wire to keep the wind off them. I have to push at least one in every night. I live in southern W.Va and it is in the 20's here at night right now.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Maybe ask your question about keeping your run dry here - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

Closing the coop door on a night time is a good idea, imo. These links may be interesting:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-chicken-keeping

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperature

Topic of the week - Winter chicken keeping

 

[416bigbore]

Hello Brenda and welcome to BYC, You found an Awesome poultry Forum to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members who are more then willing to jump in and help you with any questions you may have.

 

[RebelEgger]

Hello from NS and welcome to BYC! You’ve joined a great and resourceful community! Enjoy your journey!!!

 

[N F C]

Hello, it's nice to have you here! This article may give you some help with your wet run:
how-to-fix-a-muddy-run-chicken-coop.47807

Best wishes!

 

[theoldchick]

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I use a thick layer of wood chips in my run. It also has a solid roof over it to that helps quite a lot in keeping it dry and the material loose and not frozen to the ground.
It sounds like you may need a bigger coop. I recommend starting a new thread on Coop and Run Forum by clicking the link that @Pork Pie provided and posting pictures of your setup.
How far away are your kids? Can one of them help with a new build?

 

[sourland]

Good morning, Brenda, and welcome to BYC.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us