Considerations for wrapping run/coop in plastic to prepare for winter in Massachusetts?

[Browniethechicken]

I’m including pictures. I have wrapped my run and I am wondering if I wrapped it too much. I live in Massachusetts. As you can see I have one section that is open. I feel badly that they can’t see outside much. Should I make a window in one section? I read that it’s most important to have the west and north sides wrapped? Is this true? What do you think of my set up and can I improve it? Thank you so so much! I’m worried they feel boxed in. Will they be too cold if I take out a section or add a window?

 

[azygous]

You must not have to cope with heavy wind. In my earliest iterations of my run, I went the plastic sheeting route, and quickly lost the battle to 60mph wind. I get gusts up to 70 - 100mph.

Plastic will encourage condensation. If you ever want to make a solar still all you need is a piece of plastic. It naturally gathers moisture, especially if the air in the run is heated (sun) and it's colder outside. So ventilation to encourage air circulation is needed. You'll discover soon enough if this is being adequately addressed if you discover drips from condensation accumulating on the inside of the plastic. If you see that, you will know the air flow is inadequate.

As for creating "windows", chickens are much more appreciative of light than they are of a view. But they do like to see out if that can be arranged. Over the years, I improved on my run, and now I have cast-off glass doors that serve as "picture windows" while serving as windbreaks in summer and insulation against cold winds in winter.

Since wind is a huge element of my weather, I quickly abandoned plastic sheeting for individual panels of corrugated fiberglass roofing. (Winter only, they come down in summer.) The chickens can't see out, but they do have the glass doors interspersing the sides if they need to check on the movement of the squirrels.

My runs are presently sealed up pretty well on all sides. There is currently a blizzard going on, and I have added heat lamps so the chickens can warm themselves. There is no condensation because at the top of all the walls are open vents all along the roof line. This is idea because there are no cold breezes in the run. Warm, moist air rises and discharges at the top through these vents and the run stays ten to fifteen degrees warmer than outside without any danger of freezing condensation causing frostbite.

 

[Browniethechicken]

You must not have to cope with heavy wind. In my earliest iterations of my run, I went the plastic sheeting route, and quickly lost the battle to 60mph wind. I get gusts up to 70 - 100mph.

Plastic will encourage condensation. If you ever want to make a solar still all you need is a piece of plastic. It naturally gathers moisture, especially if the air in the run is heated (sun) and it's colder outside. So ventilation to encourage air circulation is needed. You'll discover soon enough if this is being adequately addressed if you discover drips from condensation accumulating on the inside of the plastic. If you see that, you will know the air flow is inadequate.

As for creating "windows", chickens are much more appreciative of light than they are of a view. But they do like to see out if that can be arranged. Over the years, I improved on my run, and now I have cast-off glass doors that serve as "picture windows" while serving as windbreaks in summer and insulation against cold winds in winter.

Since wind is a huge element of my weather, I quickly abandoned plastic sheeting for individual panels of corrugated fiberglass roofing. (Winter only, they come down in summer.) The chickens can't see out, but they do have the glass doors interspersing the sides if they need to check on the movement of the squirrels.

My runs are presently sealed up pretty well on all sides. There is currently a blizzard going on, and I have added heat lamps so the chickens can warm themselves. There is no condensation because at the top of all the walls are open vents all along the roof line. This is idea because there are no cold breezes in the run. Warm, moist air rises and discharges at the top through these vents and the run stays ten to fifteen degrees warmer than outside without any danger of freezing condensation causing frostbite.

Thank you so much for these considerations. I will check for moisture! That’s something I didn’t consider. No blizzard here yet in Massachusetts but it does get super cold over the next 3 months.

 

[TXchickmum]

I live in Texas, so the climate is pretty different. I have an open air coop/run. A week or so ago, I placed clear shower curtain liners on three sides. They can see out. We do not have high wind here, nor really cold temps/snow. If you want to give them a place to see, you might cut a window or use some sort of plexiglass covering there.

 

[Browniethechicken]

You must not have to cope with heavy wind. In my earliest iterations of my run, I went the plastic sheeting route, and quickly lost the battle to 60mph wind. I get gusts up to 70 - 100mph.

Plastic will encourage condensation. If you ever want to make a solar still all you need is a piece of plastic. It naturally gathers moisture, especially if the air in the run is heated (sun) and it's colder outside. So ventilation to encourage air circulation is needed. You'll discover soon enough if this is being adequately addressed if you discover drips from condensation accumulating on the inside of the plastic. If you see that, you will know the air flow is inadequate.

As for creating "windows", chickens are much more appreciative of light than they are of a view. But they do like to see out if that can be arranged. Over the years, I improved on my run, and now I have cast-off glass doors that serve as "picture windows" while serving as windbreaks in summer and insulation against cold winds in winter.

Since wind is a huge element of my weather, I quickly abandoned plastic sheeting for individual panels of corrugated fiberglass roofing. (Winter only, they come down in summer.) The chickens can't see out, but they do have the glass doors interspersing the sides if they need to check on the movement of the squirrels.

My runs are presently sealed up pretty well on all sides. There is currently a blizzard going on, and I have added heat lamps so the chickens can warm themselves. There is no condensation because at the top of all the walls are open vents all along the roof line. This is idea because there are no cold breezes in the run. Warm, moist air rises and discharges at the top through these vents and the run stays ten to fifteen degrees warmer than outside without any danger of freezing condensation causing frostbite.

Any suggestions on how to create more ventilation with my current set up?

 

[Browniethechicken]

I live in Texas, so the climate is pretty different. I have an open air coop/run. A week or so ago, I placed clear shower curtain liners on three sides. They can see out. We do not have high wind here, nor really cold temps/snow. If you want to give them a place to see, you might cut a window or use some sort of plexiglass covering there.

Texas is so different from mass! I’m jealous! Ha! Thank you! Good points!

 

[TXchickmum]

Texas is so different from mass! I’m jealous! Ha! Thank you! Good points!

It is so different. -and at 52 (having lived my whole life here), the hubby and I are bantering about a move further north......say to Maine for good living/retirement. I'm over the never-ending 100+ summers in Texas.
Best of luck on your coop!!

 

[Browniethechicken]

It is so different. -and at 52 (having lived my whole life here), the hubby and I are bantering about a move further north......say to Maine for good living/retirement. I'm over the never-ending 100+ summers in Texas.
Best of luck on your coop!!

Thank you! You’ll love Maine! You feel free and wild up there - nothing like it!

 

[azygous]

Keeping a side open as you've done may be all that is necessary for your weather conditions. I've never lived in your state, or even traveled there, so I have no idea what winter conditions you have.

If you want to increase air flow, all you would need to do is punch vent holes in the plastic at the roof line. If you do that, you could wall off the open side if the weather gets really bad. But you would still need an opening somewhere on a leeward side down at ground level to bring in the cold air that acts as the engine to drive the the thermodynamic airflow to push moist air out the vents at the top of the walls. https://www.networx.com/article/thermodynamics-for-idiots

 

[Browniethechicken]

Keeping a side open as you've done may be all that is necessary for your weather conditions. I've never lived in your state, or even traveled there, so I have no idea what winter conditions you have.

If you want to increase air flow, all you would need to do is punch vent holes in the plastic at the roof line. If you do that, you could wall off the open side if the weather gets really bad. But you would still need an opening somewhere on a leeward side down at ground level to bring in the cold air that acts as the engine to drive the the thermodynamic airflow to push moist air out the vents at the top of the walls. https://www.networx.com/article/thermodynamics-for-idiots

Helpful!! Thank you. Appreciate it