How do you weatherize your enclosed run?

[aart]

Been looking at the clear shower curtains online...the thickness is described as a gauge, which I find confusing as I am familiar with plastic sheeting being measured in mils.
A mil is a thousandth of an inch (0.001) which I can measure with calipers.
Anyone know what the gauge measurements are in mils or inches?

 

[MrsBachbach]

Sounds like a good plan. A wind block is really all that is needed and clear plastic lets in the sun. If you want something cosier for them, a red heat lamp suspended on the ceiling in the house is nice, if you have power out there. Plug it in to a Thermocube and then it will only come on when the temps approach freezing.

 

[MrsBachbach]

Been looking at the clear shower curtains online...the thickness is described as a gauge, which I find confusing as I am familiar with plastic sheeting being measured in mils.
A mil is a thousandth of an inch (0.001) which I can measure with calipers.
Anyone know what the gauge measurements are in mils or inches?

Try looking up clear tarps instead of shower curtains. Much more heavy duty plus they usually come with pre attached metal rings for attaching.

 

[aart]

You could cover it with HEAVY clear plastic shower curtains, or with clear tablecloth covers... I used shower curtains this year, but may switch to tablecloth covers next year. I just found out I can buy a 12'x6' tablecloth cover at Bed, Bath and Beyond for LESS than a 6x6 shower curtain. They are both appear/feel to be the same mil material.

There's a good option!

 

[aart]

Try looking up clear tarps instead of shower curtains. Much more heavy duty plus they usually come with pre attached metal rings for attaching.

I want to look at all options.....so need to know the measurement conversions.

Tarps are very pricey....why folks are looking at shower curtains and table cloths.

It's funny where you can find good materials priced right if you think outside the box.

 

[sn0wwhite]

My shower curtains are working great. I bought 4 of them at $7 each and made them into panels stapled to the back of 2x2s. The largest panel is about 3 feet wide. They are holding up great to the wind and cold weather we've had. (-3F the other night and gusts up to 40 mph last weekend.)

I had one panel want to slip out, but that was due to the trapezoid nature of my coop. I just put a small bit of trim to widen it and those button turn things I got hold it in perfectly now.

I did also though leave the grommet holes sticking just above the panels, and I added some zip ties to the hardware cloth to give it added security.

 

[MoonShadows]

With the winds we've had the past few years, placing plastic or a tarp on the run's walls is an invitation for problems. So, instead, I made wooden boxes that my chickens use for shelter during the day. Imagine something the size of a 4-drawer filing cabinet turned on its side, without a front panel. The back faces the prevailing winds. This seems to work very well.

I never thought of this. I think this is a great idea! I'm going to use it. It will work well for those harsh days when the girls still want to get a fresh bit of air.

 

[krapnet]

"Tarps are very pricey....why folks are looking at shower curtains and table cloths."

If you have Harbor Flight Tools store in your area, they sell good tarps for $4-6 bucks.

 

[aart]

If you have Harbor Flight Tools store in your area, they sell good tarps for $4-6 bucks.

But were talking about clear vinyl tarps...not just the old blue and silver ones.

 

[roady]

My shower curtains didnt make it 4 days. The wind I get is pretty bad though and I got the heavy duty shower curtains from Walmart. I may try some of the clear roof panels from Lowes.