Anyone want to give winterizing advice? Pictures included

[Pickle12]

This is what my husband threw together for our first year of chickens. He covered the small run that is attached to the coop in plastic except for under the coop. He was planning on the 3 girls staying in that tiny run in bad weather but I think they need more space. I have more wrap and am trying to figure out how to attach it to the add on and cover the gaps between runs. I bought grommets to attach to the plastic and am planning on zip tying it on somehow.

We just moved it down by the house to get it out of the wind. The lights are string lights from Halloween, NOT a heat lamp.

I don’t know of any of this makes sense and realize it’s not an ideal setup. It’s what I’ve got to work with this year and it’s supposed to get cold and rain/snow this weekend.

Coop has a good few inches of pine shavings mixed with horse pellets on the floor. Run has mulch, horse pellets and leaves.

 

[Finchbreeder]

A lot of weatherproofing is dependant on the direction of the rain and sleet.

 

[Pickle12]

What if I leave the sides by the fence open?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What kind of weather conditions and temperatures are you expecting? Location or general temperature trends for your area would help.

 

[Pickle12]

Wisconsin. lows are supposed to go into the 20’s. Supposed to be windy, wet and crummy.

 

[Ted Brown]

I am up in Canada, we have had occasional temperatures at your 23-25F levels for several weeks now, mere preparation for what's coming. What size is the coop and run?

Ventilation in the coop is CRITICAL! I don't see much in your coop.

You need to provide a way for the flock to get to/from their run that is sheltered from snow; many chickens do not like walking in it and will stay in the coop.

I would find a way to get DH to fashion a secure way for them to access the bigger run. As suggested above you should provide shelter on the sides from which the prevailing winds come. Leaving one side or corner open is just fine. I do not see any hardware cloth. While hungry critters are far less frequent during winter they do exist and the openings you have will not prevent some of them from enjoying chicken dinner.

 

[StinkyAcres]

What's your budget? I might try to find a roofed dog kennel (try Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace) and place the entire setup in there. Then you can cover walls of the kennel to keep wind off the coop.

I hope you have cold-hardy breeds..

 

[rosemarythyme]

What's your budget? I might try to find a roofed dog kennel (try Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace) and place the entire setup in there. Then you can cover walls of the kennel to keep wind off the coop.

x2, I like this idea and it'd give them more space, and more protection from the weather.

Unfortunately it'll be very difficult to keep a small coop and run from being buried in snow, and you don't really have enough run height to block off winds while leaving ample openings for ventilation.

 

[Pickle12]

I think it’s actually a nice area for them. Thinking of leaving the side that’s against the fence open. Also we’re putting a roof on the attached run and lifting it up for ventilation.

 

[Pickle12]

I’m worried about leaving open sides but if they are against the fence I think they should be ok?? We’ll have to adjust as we go I guess. Lessons learned already about what not to do!