Personally, I would let them start on the gravel with a dusting of DE and then add a bag of pine shavings and a dusting of DE once a week or so (whenever it starts smelling) until it gets to be a nice layer that is staying dry and not smelling. They will spread it and turn it for you.
The lowest temps we have to deal with are around -10°F at night and I've never had to use a heater as long as they have a place to get out of the wind. I'd have to see your setup, but I would still try to tack up some plastic over the lattice to help them hold onto warmth once you start having consistent sub freezing temps overnight.
OddPlum / Odd Plum
npub1rs…hjyvz
2026-10-25 17:32:11 UTC
in reply to nevent1q…3zxl
Author Public Key
npub1rs09sj5u5lck0gxn8jt58ru7ffnh5m82w4akmzn93882h2d68mwqehjyvzSeen on
wss://relay.primal.netPublished at
2026-10-25 17:32:11 UTCEvent JSON
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