Well I'm thinking that ours will do great through the winters..... we went to town today and got all the wood so we can start on the run... we are going to have electricity in the hen house, so we will be able to plug a light in when needed... I'm wondering where everyone buys the hardware cloth, we want 1/4" by 48" by 100'... and I'm not sure what Guage we need.... if anyone here knows, please let me know. ...Hi, no I don't sell pullets. I just got my Roo Handsome Rob to help with our feline predator and occasional hawk or eagle issues. I don't intend to hatch any out but who know's, I might get ambitious and try it. He is a Wellsummer and I got him in case I decide to breed for olive eggs. I have an EE hen who lays light green eggs and one who lays blue eggs. Also have two 18 week EE pullets awaiting their egg color. Have Australorps, Wellsummers, a Buff Orpington, EE's, Black sex link, Speckled sussex and a Red Comet (the boss). I din't insulate my coop because my flock is well suited to the cold. They did just fine last year (which was my first time with chickens), I did supplement with occasional heat when the night dropped below -20, but that wasn't very often. I've read that as long as there is proper ventilation, the cold is not a problem. We will start working on our run later this summer. Just finished building the new 8x8 coop and they love it. My ladies and gentleman are very spoiled and I think its great! Enjoy working on your run, post pics if you have them.
Have never had a problem with the chicks using the nipples. I picked up my half grown chicks at night from the lady who was taking care of them until I got back from Arizona. When I checked them at 7 am they were all getting drinks. When the neighbors and I could all free range our girls (before the foxes came) the neighbor's chickens even got drinks from the nipple waterers at my place. It a natural behavior for them to poke at something red.
