what do you use to help the hounds stay warm in the winter?

[Lee Currah]

Ontario Canada: It gets real cold here in the Winter, down to - 30 Celius , Double wall boxes with 1" styrafoam, for all walls and Floor, Opening is 10" x 12" with a Section of Truck Mudflap , Screw ed with big Washers across the Top. any wind blowing keeps the flap tight against the opening. I use Wheat Straw as Bedding, 6" deep, Have to change a couple times a Winter as Hounds carry snow In from the Runs. For Bedding, a Friend of Mine used Grass hay, and it had a sharp Bladed Grass in it. The Hounds chewed it. The first thing he noticed they didn't want to eat. Took to Vet. and found throat raw with small pieces of grass hooked into the inside of Throat. Changed Bedding, used a lot of Cooking Oil in Food to disolve grass. Lost 2 hounds out of 16. I always soak Feed over night, And add Hot water to make a Warm stiff Gruel to feed. Feed twice as much food in winter ,with a very High Fat percent in Food. No heat in kennel. Hounds a in great shape all winter long, if you are not running them regular they will get a little Fat. Hope this helps

[Wayne Brierley]

Hi Lee,
Do you double up your hounds for the winter? What are the inside dimensions of the boxes? I've had some trouble with condensation (frost) on the inside ceiling. Would that be a ventilation problem?