Coop Maintainance No, No’s
One thing I do not suggest is water proofing your shanties. For the most part they are already water resistant from the manufacturer. So why not give it a little extra protection?
Condensation is the answer here. Its already bad enough in some cases where the heat buildup inside the shanty can cause water to condense inside your shack. If you leave it the way it is from the factory, you get some degree of ventilation. Look, you are already dressed for winter conditions, so if a little air gets in, so what? The main reason to fish inside a coop is to stay out of the wind, not to keep you all warm and snugly. That comes from the wind protection and the amount of clothing you are already wearing.
What is the big deal with a little condensation build-up? Mold is the biggest reason, which leads to that musty smell, which can lead to some pretty nasty sneezing fits, eye swell and even those raspy dry heaves. I would say a good chunk of the time this won’t bother a lot of folks during the ice season because your shanty is stored in a cold area, but for those who keep them in heated areas. You don’t go every weekend, mold can build up between trips. Most of the time the worst cases occur after you put your shelters away for the season, and isn’t detectable until you open them up for the first part of the season.
So why wait until right before the season starts to approach. Get the shanties out now, air them out, fix those holes, and maybe make a few modifications while you are at it.