Winterizing Run

[aart]

I don't think the picture can do justice to the amount of snow there is. It doesn't look bad because I keep the run roof cleared as well as a good few feet on all sides so when we get melting, it doesn't flood all into the run at once. But there are several feet there

Nice Job!!!

Do you have a snow thrower or are you chucking all that snow by hand??

My friends laugh at me for shoveling every 2 inches of snow, but keeping up on it makes it easier in the long run and provides a nice flat surface to walk on.

 

[smcgill]

I hope the chicken like mud??
When all this melts we will have mud then mosquitoes...............

 

[hippiechickadee]

Nice Job!!!

Do you have a snow thrower or are you chucking all that snow by hand??

My friends laugh at me for shoveling every 2 inches of snow, but keeping up on it makes it easier in the long run and provides a nice flat surface to walk on.

I did the same thing! Every little storm we had I shoveled, but it was easier in the end!

I hope the chicken like mud??
When all this melts we will have mud then mosquitoes...............

No mud- thats what the tarp was for.

I kept the snow cleared from the walls and when it melted none when in the run.

 

[Paws4fun]

I need all the help / advise I can get!!! This is my little coop - this is my first winter with chickens - I was thinking about wrapping plastic on the walls - more to keep the wind at bay - but I was going to leave the roof open - I'm worried the snow will crush it (Canadians winters can suck with wet heavy snow / ice storms) should I open the hatch and give the girls the option to wonder out? Or should I keep them closed in??? I was thinking the plastic run cover would at least get them through Dec and into Jan - they will have to be closed in for Feb / March as it drops to -40 here.

At what temp did you guys put heat lamps on??

Thanks in advance for your help/ suggestions!!!!

 

[aart]

I need all the help / advise I can get!!! This is my little coop - this is my first winter with chickens - I was thinking about wrapping plastic on the walls - more to keep the wind at bay - but I was going to leave the roof open - I'm worried the snow will crush it (Canadians winters can suck with wet heavy snow / ice storms) should I open the hatch and give the girls the option to wonder out? Or should I keep them closed in??? I was thinking the plastic run cover would at least get them through Dec and into Jan - they will have to be closed in for Feb / March as it drops to -40 here.

At what temp did you guys put heat lamps on??

Thanks in advance for your help/ suggestions!!!!

No heat, lots of ventilation(you've got some work to do there).

Yes, watch out for snow load on the shed too....and be able to get into the run and move some snow too.

 

[Paws4fun]

Thank you!!

The shed is not air-tight. there are small gaps all around the top - I was thinking if I was able to leave the hatch open for most of the winter I would be ok....?

 

[aart]

Thank you!!

The shed is not air-tight. there are small gaps all around the top - I was thinking if I was able to leave the hatch open for most of the winter I would be ok....?

Maybe......

Depends on various factors how you handle manure, waterers ambient humidity,
the inside of metal shed will be covered with condensation if your ventilation is not adequate.

...read the article in my signature about ventilation.

 

[Paws4fun]

Maybe......

Depends on various factors how you handle manure, waterers ambient humidity,
the inside of metal shed will be covered with condensation if your ventilation is not adequate.

...read the article in my signature about ventilation.

will do thanks so much!!! all the metal is covered inside - it is insulated and I put up chip board as well.