- Aug 23, 2012
- 77
- 0
- 96
Going to get down to 29 tonight, and currently we have a cold rain coming down.
I have a 10'x20' (dog kennel) run (1/2 of it is roofed), with a two-level plywood coop built off the ground inside the run (under the roofed section). My 2 muscovies bed down on the first level, while the 2nd level is for my girls: 2 bantams and 3 full-sized chickens. The floor space for each floor is about 4x5, with the hens having an extra 2' square of nest boxes.
The coop doors face the west, and it's made of plywood. I put in vents (3"x18") at ceiling height on each level on both the north and south walls, and the coop door has a full-sized window that can be opened and closed. I use shavings as bedding (tons of it) and the hens have a 2x4 roost that's plenty of room for them all, with 4" side up, so they can keep their feet nice and cozy. It's very dry and sheltered from rain. No insulation. No electric. Would like to avoid any kind of heat lamp, but could do it if necessary.
My hens are avoiding the unroofed portion of the run today, sticking to digging in the straw under the roof, and hanging out in the area under the coop. The muscovies, of course, are free ranging and puddle-splashing contentedly.
The whole 'ventilation vs drafts' thing is very confusing - I've read all I can about it on here and in other resources. I think I placed the vents well (up high, not directly on them) but I'm worried about the damp + cold.
Any suggestions, or reassurances for this new bird lady?
Thanks!
I have a 10'x20' (dog kennel) run (1/2 of it is roofed), with a two-level plywood coop built off the ground inside the run (under the roofed section). My 2 muscovies bed down on the first level, while the 2nd level is for my girls: 2 bantams and 3 full-sized chickens. The floor space for each floor is about 4x5, with the hens having an extra 2' square of nest boxes.
The coop doors face the west, and it's made of plywood. I put in vents (3"x18") at ceiling height on each level on both the north and south walls, and the coop door has a full-sized window that can be opened and closed. I use shavings as bedding (tons of it) and the hens have a 2x4 roost that's plenty of room for them all, with 4" side up, so they can keep their feet nice and cozy. It's very dry and sheltered from rain. No insulation. No electric. Would like to avoid any kind of heat lamp, but could do it if necessary.
My hens are avoiding the unroofed portion of the run today, sticking to digging in the straw under the roof, and hanging out in the area under the coop. The muscovies, of course, are free ranging and puddle-splashing contentedly.
The whole 'ventilation vs drafts' thing is very confusing - I've read all I can about it on here and in other resources. I think I placed the vents well (up high, not directly on them) but I'm worried about the damp + cold.
Any suggestions, or reassurances for this new bird lady?
Thanks!