Quote:
By 'get by without' do you mean free range them, or do you mean lock them in the coop all winter?
I would reeaallly not try the latter. That's only about 3 sq ft per hen and chances are pretty good you will get some serious picking/cannibalism going on, which is not always fixable except by stewpot.
If you mean free ranging them, you can certainly try it if that's your only option. Predators get hungrier in the winter though.
Why not sink some posts NOW, then you can put up run fence at leisure anytime the snow is not too deep or at least can be shovelled away? Doesn't take too much time to sink posts. I always have some post-setting, for various purposes, on my "things to do before the ground freezes up" list, so I can finish those projects at leisure later on
By 'get by without' do you mean free range them, or do you mean lock them in the coop all winter?
I would reeaallly not try the latter. That's only about 3 sq ft per hen and chances are pretty good you will get some serious picking/cannibalism going on, which is not always fixable except by stewpot.
If you mean free ranging them, you can certainly try it if that's your only option. Predators get hungrier in the winter though.
Why not sink some posts NOW, then you can put up run fence at leisure anytime the snow is not too deep or at least can be shovelled away? Doesn't take too much time to sink posts. I always have some post-setting, for various purposes, on my "things to do before the ground freezes up" list, so I can finish those projects at leisure later on
Will I need to prop the windows open for ventilation even at night? I was planning on putting in salvaged windows and hinging them at the top with something on the bottom to hold them open at various degrees depending on temps.
It would work a lot better to have purpose-built vents, looong and about 6-10" tall, atop your walls. Closeable with adjustable flaps or sliders or whatever you prefer. The problem with windows is they tend to be in the middle of the walls, and thus more apt to cause draftiness and less apt to remove the (relatively) warmer, MORE HUMID air near the ceiling, which is the air you really *want* to be venting out (yes, even in wintertime).
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
It would work a lot better to have purpose-built vents, looong and about 6-10" tall, atop your walls. Closeable with adjustable flaps or sliders or whatever you prefer. The problem with windows is they tend to be in the middle of the walls, and thus more apt to cause draftiness and less apt to remove the (relatively) warmer, MORE HUMID air near the ceiling, which is the air you really *want* to be venting out (yes, even in wintertime).
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
