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My question is on the old perennial of housing. I recently splashed out on what was described as the 'Rolls Royce' of poultry huts by the builder. It is very sturdily constructed of half inch thick tongued and grooved planking and has an 'onduline' corrugated roof. The main door has a netted door within the main door so that you can open this in good weather to supply extra vetilation. It has an external nest box and sliding heavy pop hole cover.
The questions I have for more experienced keepers are these. As the hut has no windows, and the only light source is what comes in through the pop hole, I find that the 'late in ' birds find it too dark to find the perches and end up in the nest boxes from where I have to retrieve them and place them on the perches.
The other problem is that I think the onduline roof with it's large corrugations make the hut very draughty. This morning after the cold night the droppings were frozen solid and two of my birds had frost bite to their combs (despite vaseline applied) I never had these problems with my old hut which was much flimsier but seemed to be draught proof.
What do other keepers think about onduline roofs? Would it be better to block up the corrugations and construct a better ventilation panel somewhere else in the hut wall with baffles, and what do other keepers think about light in hen huts?
Many thanks

Take the onduline off and nail some chipboard directly over the top and then put the onduline back on for weather protection. Drill a couple of 2" diameter holes about 12" apart (tack small mesh over them to keep rodents out and put them up high so the birds can't get caught in a draught) and make a little sliding panel so that you can close off one or both holes.
Your 'late in' birds may be choosing to use the nest boxes - a lot of my birds cuddle up together in the nesting boxes and keep each other warm. I always feel sorry for the birds on the end of the perches who only have one side warmed for them
Make sure the birds have plenty of bedding in the nest boxes so they can choose where they want to sleep.
IMO unless you keep feed and water in the hut the light from the pop door should be sufficient for them to sort themselves out for the night.

Hi chickens are stupid often and will often just curl up somewhere unless you keep placing them on a perch - usually takes them 5 - 7 days to get the hang of it. Wouldnt put light in house - it would affect tempeture of house and hunmidity Houses like yours are usually fine but it has been extremly cold lately. I often find people buy a massive house for the birds and then dont consider how much it takes for it to be warmed by the birds inside - similar to a big old house with tall ceiling needing longer and more to heat up, than a modern house. Can I ask size of house and number of birds inside it. It is easy to fit a plank of wood over one size of the roofing - the side that is in the general direction of the wind but make sure you remove it come spring summer or you will have dreadful red mite issues. extra bedding in houses at this time fo year does help. Red x

Hi Harbottle, we have three girls and an ark hen house, our girls huddle up to each other and
take it in turns who is in the middle each night.