New coop! Should I wrap some of the run to protect the girls from the wind?

[Irishkillian]

Cute, but looks pretty small for 5 birds.
What's inside?
How do they get into the run?


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View attachment 2417208

Sorry, just posted below a reply to you!

 

[Irishkillian]

That's a pretty cute little coop. Also congrats on the first egg! I'm in NJ also. I didn't put any tarp around my run last year since it was a pretty mild winter last year. This year I've put tarp around 75 percent of the run. I think you should wrap the run against wind if you want to. Be sure to leave some ventilation room tho.

Thank you! So psyched for our one egg breakfast tomorrow! haha
I think we will use either tarp or roll up and down fabric? I'm still toying with some ideas. Currently, I have plastic wrap on the windy side. But it sure doesn't look all that great!

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

Thank you! So psyched for our one egg breakfast tomorrow! haha
I think we will use either tarp or roll up and down fabric? I'm still toying with some ideas. Currently, I have plastic wrap on the windy side. But it sure doesn't look all that great!

I am currently using a thick, heavy duty, clear tarp around. That should look a lot better than the wrap.

 

[Irishkillian]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!! What a great idea to incorporate under the steps!

Thank you! I was searching and searching for inspiration with no luck. But I read enough on site to learn that I can make a pretty cute coop close to the house if I am careful with consistent cleaning and no loose food laying around! The girls use their coop just to sleep!

 

[aart]

Be sure to leave some ventilation room tho.

Yes, in the coop too.

 

[black_cat]

My run is protected by a cliffy hill on one side, and a large fence on two other sides, so those break most of the wind. However, it's pretty popular on BYC to use some clear plastic shower curtains, plastic sheeting, or plastic panels as a windbreak on one of more sides of the run.

 

[Irishkillian]

I am currently using a thick, heavy duty, clear tarp around. That should look a lot better than the wrap.

Ok. I will take a look tomorrow and see how I can attach that. Thanks!

 

[Irishkillian]

Yes, in the coop too.

SO glad you mentioned ventilation! This is another one of those things that has been driving me bonkers. I made a screen ventilation that in the warmer weather is amazing, but I pretty much close it at night now to help with drafts. Unfortunately, they roost pretty much at head level with these windows. I also have a roof vent that runs across the whole top of the coop. Would you think that I should create another vent (4x6) window a bit higher too?

 

[Irishkillian]

SO glad you mentioned ventilation! This is another one of those things that has been driving me bonkers. I made a screen ventilation that in the warmer weather is amazing, but I pretty much close it at night now to help with drafts. Unfortunately, they roost pretty much at head level with these windows. I also have a roof vent that runs across the whole top of the coop. Would you think that I should create another vent (4x6) window a bit higher too?

I meant to attach some pictures of the inside.

 

[aart]

I also have a roof vent that runs across the whole top of the coop.

A ridge vent?

Hard to ventilate such a small coop.
You might cover those windows with clear plastic but leave the top inch or two uncovered.
Also hard to assess a small coop for air movement that might be too strong,
because you can't get in there to 'feel' it.

You might be able to put enough wind blocks on the run to block too much air flow thru those windows. Oops, never mind, windows aren't 'inside' run?

Stay flexible and try a few different things.