Cheap solution for keeping your coop run dry and protected from the elements

[hansoto]

We left for Disneyland before Christmas 2017 and I had my neighbor take care of my chickens. He did a great job feeding and cleaning the poop. One oversight was that I left the run exposed to the elements — a healthy snowstorm came in and filled the inside with snow. My chickens tracked it into the coop and though they are quite resilient, it was a just huge mess. Figured out a cheap solution that appeared to work wonders. I bought some clear/translucent vinyl bath curtains for $2 and a grommet making set at home depot for $10 along with 3 more packs of grommets ($3 each). Today was the first “snow” since I put them on and my girls seem to be very very happy with the dry run and coop. I do NOT have a heater in the coop/run and don’t recommend anyone putting one in theirs; you increase the chances of your chickens getting pneumonia from the humidity and you can catch the coop on fire. I have, however, been entertaining the idea of a heated seed starter mat underneath the nesting boxes. Like anything, always looking to improve my setup. Open to comments and suggestions on adding some cooler accessories to my coop.

 

[junebuggena]

You do have to be careful about how much you cover though. Ventilation is still very important, even in the cold.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Great looking coop design! And very clever (and tidy looking) setup with the shower curtains. It looks very dry and cozy in there with lots of light!!

 

[Chullicken]

You do have to be careful about how much you cover though. Ventilation is still very important, even in the cold.

True. Should never have a fully enclosed run and coop without a cold air intake/outlet vent at a minimum.

 

[hansoto]

True. Should never have a fully enclosed run and coop without a cold air intake/outlet vent at a minimum.

I agree. I could have learned this the hard way but thanks to people like you, I am able to avoid those deadly mistakes. A solar intake and outlet vent sounds like a killer idea

 

[SwtGrc]

We left for Disneyland before Christmas 2017 and I had my neighbor take care of my chickens. He did a great job feeding and cleaning the poop. One oversight was that I left the run exposed to the elements — a healthy snowstorm came in and filled the inside with snow. My chickens tracked it into the coop and though they are quite resilient, it was a just huge mess. Figured out a cheap solution that appeared to work wonders. I bought some clear/translucent vinyl bath curtains for $2 and a grommet making set at home depot for $10 along with 3 more packs of grommets ($3 each). Today was the first “snow” since I put them on and my girls seem to be very very happy with the dry run and coop. I do NOT have a heater in the coop/run and don’t recommend anyone putting one in theirs; you increase the chances of your chickens getting pneumonia from the humidity and you can catch the coop on fire. I have, however, been entertaining the idea of a heated seed starter mat underneath the nesting boxes. Like anything, always looking to improve my setup. Open to comments and suggestions on adding some cooler accessories to my coop.

I might also adopt the curtain idea for rain "showers" hahaha sorry had to.
What was the heated seed starter mat you mentioned?? And have you installed/used it yet?

 

[hansoto]

I might also adopt the curtain idea for rain "showers" hahaha sorry had to.
What was the heated seed starter mat you mentioned?? And have you installed/used it yet?

The seed starter mat was just an idea - after doing a little more research, I decided against it bc the chickens would only want to hang out and roost there. I have zero heat in my coop which is probably the best thing.

 

[Teila]

Back before we gave up with kit coops and built our own with a fully covered run; we also used to use shower curtains to keep out the rain.

It worked well in our climate where we did not want the run covered at all times and as you can see we simply pegged it to the existing shade/cover [not waterproof]:

 

[hansoto]

@hansoto, did you use screws and washers to attach the shower curtains to the frame? Did you need to trim the curtains to fit the wood frame? And how far apart did you add new grommets?

Sorry I am JUST getting this. Yes I used screws and washers to attach the curtains to the frame. DO NOT use screws and washers directly onto the curtain as it will rip with a gust of wind. You’ll have to install the grommets first. It is easier than you think. I spaced them out about 18” to 24” apart.

 

[bajabirdbrain]

Nice thread. We don't really have a snow problem, occasionally a couple of inches, but we do get plenty of rain. When it rains hard and is windy, part of our run can get a bit muddy. I like the curtain idea, something we can put up easily when needed and then take down when not needed, really only need to curtain off one corner. Also, thanks for posting where you are located. BB

We ended up using your shower curtains to keep the rain out of one corner, used 1 curtain on the end and 2 curtains going down the side. Had a bit of trouble with the curtain holes ripping out due to wind, so I took some gorilla/duct tape and re-enforced the holes and then put in the grommets. We chose to use cheap carabiners(sp?) to hold the plastic to the wire. We got our stuff at Harbor Freight. So far, so good. Thanks again for the idea.