Looking for suggestions: Clear sheeting to cover chicken run for winter

[webmistress32]

Usually we nail plastic sheeting to our coop run using shims every late fall / winter. We are behind the 8 ball now getting it done late.

Any suggestion for materials to quickly cover our coop run?

 

[TooCheep]

Pictures, dimensions and location would be helpful.

I cover my entire chicken tractor (small coop/run) with plastic sheeting.

 

[Stepnout]

I use 6 mil poly vapor barrier, staple it on and then use slats or stickers from your local lumber supply yard to nail over the plastic. the winter winds will tear the poly from the staples the slats will hold it all winter. The poly creates a nice green house effect.

 

[webmistress32]

Photos - here are the runs I want to cover. The pterodactyl coop faces east and all of the other sides have good blockage with tree lines and the north side with a garden shed. Probably still needs to be covered though.

Pterodactyl coop

Original Coop

 

[TooCheep]

OK. That is rather large to cover completely. What I would personally recommend is covering the side(s) towards the incoming wind only. Most chickens can handle cold weather okay, but direct drafts and water make it much harder on them. So, even covering the lower half on the windward side would allow them to run around, get some exercise and avoid the worst of the winter weather. Fully covered (with some significant areas for ventilation) would be better if you are in a reasonably northern climate, but significantly more work and expense.

I prefer clear plastic sheeting to give them the best view. @Stepnout is correct about using slats (aka furring strips) to hold down the sheeting, but I presumed that's what you meant by "shims".

 

[webmistress32]

Sounds like what we have always done previously, I was hoping there was some magic easier way! Thanks!!

 

[LateBirdFarms]

I use clear vinyl table cloth covers, they're cost effective and of thick enough gauge that I can take them down and reuse them. They usually have reinforced edges but I use a line of duct tape where I'm stapling or zip tying.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I use corrugated plastic sheets that I slide along the sides of the run. When I built the run I created boards that run on the bottom and top of the run that the sheets just slide into.

 

[aart]

Sounds like what we have always done previously, I was hoping there was some magic easier way! Thanks!!

Get someone else to do it?

Incredible run!
Welcome to BYC! @webmistress32
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[LateBirdFarms]

Very pretty coop!