Hello Folks,
Last night was the first hard freeze my coop and pullets have experienced. you can see the window in the front, I have a Plexiglas insert that slides in gulliteen style, as does the door going out to the run. Both of these I close at night, for safety and drafts.
When I went out before dawn as usual to let the ladies out this morning, I noticed in the far back left corner of the inside of the coop, on the metal roof, there was a small ammount of frost forming around where the lights exit to the outside of the coop through the corrugated roof gaps.
At this time the only ventilation at night is through the gaps in the roof (you can see they are small). Because of the small size of the coop, and the location of the roosts, I am wondering first, if I should vent more?, and 2nd how and where should I vent?
I am open for suggestions for wintering. I also plan on changing roosts to 2x4's and have used Fred's idea of heated dog bowls with plastic ice cream pail inserts for ease of cleaning.
Also, I am wondering about how much of the outside run to cover, and with what?... plastic, wood, clear roofing material? I found polycarbonate sun porch roofing in a 12ft x 28" sheet that would cover the back side where the rain flows off the roof, and some gets into the run when it splashes on the rocks.
Also thinking about covering the right hand end with wood or something, and leaving the front south side and left end open as is?
Boise temps can be in the 20's or lower at night, it snows a bit but mostly melts off in a few days. Dryer and not as cold as New England winters, but I do want to be prepared for the worst if need be....
Suggestions welcome!!
Thanks, Julie
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