How do you winterize your run? - What is my run missing this winter?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I live in North Idaho. I have been trying to winterize my coop & run before the snow comes and the temps really drop. I've got my coop all set, and now I am moving on to the run. This is my first year really "winterizing" my run, so I'm not really sure what it needs. Yesterday I put this tarp all around on the inside and outside of the wall to work as a sort of wind-blocker for the flock. There is no roof on the run, nor can I add one for several reason, but I have always just shoveled paths in the run and it has worked well for me, especially because the snow doesn't usually get deeper than 1ft or so. Without the wind blowing more snow into the run, and the big trees to help block snow fall, I am hoping to keep the shoveling to a minimum.

For extra shelter, they have a covered area below the raised coop (that has 2/4 walls blocked from the wind) that they hang out in a lot - that also has their dust bath that they made. I have a heated water bowl and a large feeder. I am trying to figure out ways to give them plenty of places to perch. I have a large branch that is connected to the wall at about 3-4ft high, along with 3 other perches made out of 2x4 planks about 6 inches off the ground. I am planning on getting a 4ft wooden ladder with wide steps, too. I know they like to perch higher than that, but I'm just not sure how to build secure perches that wont fall over - I think with the ladder they have enough. For when it snows, I also have a covered litter box that I keep under the coop that I will periodically fill with Orchard Grass hay for them to eat and scratch in (just to help get some fiber/greens in the winter months). It stays dry under the coop, so no concern for mold, and I keep an eye on it. I would say the breeds I have are pretty cold hardy for chickens (maybe excluding my Olive Egger), but I still want them as comfortable as possible! My flock of 6 is all hens. My run is 301 sq ft, which gives about 50 sq ft per hen. If pictures of inside the run would be helpful, let me know and I will add some.

My breeds: Lavender Orpington, Buff Orpington, Oliver Egger, Easter Egger, Dark Brahma, and a Gold Laced Blue Wyandotte.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Can you clarify: how many square feet are under cover?

And why can’t you lay supports across the run and lay a tarp/ tarps on them, even if it’s flat? Is your cold weather so dry that you don’t get snow, freezing rain, etc.?

(Note: only a bit over half my run is covered for now - 64 sq ft for five birds - but we’re in the process of covering the rest.)

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Can you clarify: how many square feet are under cover?

And why can’t you lay supports across the run and lay a tarp/ tarps on them, even if it’s flat? Is your cold weather so dry that you don’t get snow, freezing rain, etc.?

(Note: only a bit over half my run is covered for now - 64 sq ft for five birds - but we’re in the process of covering the rest.)

In total, my run is 301 sq ft. None of it is covered except for under the raised coop, which is about 25sq ft. I have a large tree in the run which significantly reduces the amount of snow that lands on the floor under it. Often times under the tree only get an inch or two, while the rest gets a foot, maybe more. Again, I shovel paths for them and watch closely for signs of stress.

I can't put a roof on my run because of the tree and how the run is placed in relation to my neighbors fence. I have been wanting to add a roof, but I am on a budget and haven't figured out how to make something solid that can withstand snow/rain without just caving in. This year I wrapped the run and fixed up the coop, maybe next year I will try to add a roof... I'm slowly building the best home I can for my flock.

As for weather, we get snow from January-February and then hail in March and some of April most years. The summers are dry and hot. We get all 4 seasons for sure.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My run is completely open to the elements. I do open up the run on wet snowy days so they can get under the 2-car carport if they want but that's the extent of "cover" they have. I've never lost a bird to the elements. We have heated water buckets and shovel paths for them if necessary, but that is about it for winterizing. We've had chickens for about 15 years. The worst that's happened was frostbite on a BJG rooster's comb and wattles. I no longer have single-comb roosters.

ETA we do get snow and ice and below-zero winters, with high humidity.