It's 13 degrees outside...And I am worried

[analyticalblonde]

I

I know this is an old thread, comment, but I was just wondering about the 2”gaps where the snow could blow in, why not just overlap the plastic where the gaps are to prevent any openings. Maybe there’s something I’m missing, but it seems easy enough just to wrap the entire structure in plastic with no gaps. ‍

Yes...I know...the 2" gaps are the weak spots...and when the snow is falling/blowing, there is snow that gets inside. I have mounded up hay to the outside and the inside where the gaps are and it does help but it is not full-proof. The gaps are there because we sewed the panel wraps to the exact size of each segment to the run. We put grommets along the sides of the sewn panels so we could strap each sewn panel to the individual panels to create a wind block without the sewn panels blowing around. It was also done this way so that we could roll them up when the weather gets better to let in the sunshine but also to drop them back down when the brutal summer comes to block out the blistering sun to the west side of the run. Here is a picture of my run showing the metal panels; I don't have a picture yet of the run with the panels but will take one today so I can share and everyone can see what me & dear hubby did.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Here is a picture of the same run with the panels we made as covers.

 

[Manhen]

Super spoiled chickens! I say you have impressed the neighbors, that coop is fantastic. Those panels and covers are soundproof of course....

EDIT: 15 pages in a week. This thread has really triggered the members...

 

[analyticalblonde]

Super spoiled chickens! I say you have impressed the neighbors, that coop is fantastic. Those panels and covers are soundproof of course....

EDIT: 15 pages in a week. This thread has really triggered the members...

Nope...not soundproof...neighbors gotta adjust to the wonderful chicken songs I get when the girls have laid! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

 

[alex5chickens]

First year is more worrisome than latter years. Kind of like kids, worry yourself sick with the first, Ho hum with the second.

I've had chickens since 2012. Coop is a converted 10x12 horse stall, 3' above the pony wall is open (1/2" hardware cloth) on 3 sides in a 170 year old barn. Not air tight by any means but no wind blowing on the birds on their roosts 4' off the ground therefore at the top of the pony wall.

I've seen -20°F, so the birds have too. I've had cold hardy birds and those that aren't supposed to be (Cubalaya - Cuban breed, Ancona - Mediterranean breed). NEVER have had a problem with cold. The birds puff up and stay warm.

One year my heated water pipe with saddle nipples failed so I had a regular waterer on bricks in the next stall over with a heat lamp pointed at it. Only the water on the lamp side was liquid. The girls had access to it all day. NOT ONE BIRD hung out by the heat lamp including the Australorp that decided to have her first adult moult starting at the end of January, the coldest time of year. She was half bald and even she didn't hang by the lamp.

My short message: Chickens do not need heat.

Amen.

 

[bruceha2000]

Here is a picture of the same run with the panels we made as covers.

Seems like you've got it pretty well covered. You don't want it air tight and a bit of snow blowing in from well above the level of the chickens on the ground in the run is fine.

 

[hayley3]

Yes...I know...the 2" gaps are the weak spots...and when the snow is falling/blowing, there is snow that gets inside. I have mounded up hay to the outside and the inside where the gaps are and it does help but it is not full-proof. The gaps are there because we sewed the panel wraps to the exact size of each segment to the run. We put grommets along the sides of the sewn panels so we could strap each sewn panel to the individual panels to create a wind block without the sewn panels blowing around. It was also done this way so that we could roll them up when the weather gets better to let in the sunshine but also to drop them back down when the brutal summer comes to block out the blistering sun to the west side of the run. Here is a picture of my run showing the metal panels; I don't have a picture yet of the run with the panels but will take one today so I can share and everyone can see what me & dear hubby did.View attachment 1986761

I love this chicken coop/run..Did you purchase it? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[Manhen]

No kidding!
I doubt she's been thru a winter yet.

Question is: How many winters have her birds been through?

We shouldn't roast her too bad, she may be a byc member, or it was a novice type error that was "learned" while she was having fun learning. So much is "who would have known"? Perhaps her birds are happiest now because I think this owner would sleep in the coop to warm up the birds... (meant in humor!)

 

[analyticalblonde]

Hi @hayley3

Yes...we got it through Tractor Supply although I just checked TSC website and my exact set up is not listed currently. Another option is this one from the same company...

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop

There were some adjustments we had to do to make it complete but everyone makes alterations/adjustments to their coops & runs based upon conditions, etc.

With our purchase, we received direct home delivery, free of charge, and dear hubby & I put it all together in about 4-5 hours. Let me know if you have any questions about the product/set-up and I will try to help!

 

[aart]

Let me know if you have any questions about the product/set-up and I will try to help!

Were the canvases, top and sides, an add on?