Plastic Wrapping Runs

[Cryss]

All great ideas. I have some plastic sheeting 6mil thickness. I am going to wrap the area i have right under the coop, it is 8' square x 2' high. (3 sides) leaving one opened for them to enter. I am not sure about the run. Its flat on the top, no slope (wire all around) and I like the idea of keeping snow and rain out. I might try using the idea from above post. Wrapping edge of plastic around a 1x2 a couple times then screwing that to the frame just under the roof. My roof hangs over the run just 2'. I believe we are in for it this winter. It will be my girls first. So far they huddle together under the coop first in the early morning. Temps in the 30's. When the sun comes out a bit stronger, then they venture in our garden that is attached to the run.
My poor Rooster Cogburn is being kept in our garage with a bit TLC, and under a heat lamp until we see improvement from his attack from a hunt dog. Almost all his feathers were gone. He got mauled up pretty bad. Several sore spots on him. I believe he would freeze to death if put outside in his condition. Its day 7 for him and we see some improvement. He was new to our girls, and most of them were just getting to like him. Now we have to slowly introduce him again to our girls (once he is completely healed). I have no idea how long to continue to care for him. He was never handled and free ranged. So to catch him is impossible. We continue to treat his wounds daily, I hope his feathers grow back soon or we'll be keeping him in for the entire winter I guess.
Thanks for the great info.

I'm hope I can follow this. I'm wondering what would be the best way to reacclimate your rooster to the cold after having been kept so snuggly warm. Good to know in case I ever come up against such a problem.

 

[Michael Propst]

I use 6 mil plastic. The eves are left open for air flow and ventilation and I have a 4"x10' vent between the smaller section and larger section.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Your coop looks so neat and tidy, does it stay this tidy looking when the wind is blowing? I'm a bit hesitant to tighten my plastic sheets. If there isn't a way for the wind to "escape" it might shred the plastic.

 

[MarkJP]

Here are some pics of what I did to wrap my run...I used small flat washers with 1" galvanized screws every 9-10" or so. Hope this helps. The run is from Tractor Supply. Had to modify it a bit and put extra roofing on the right side. Gives the girls more dry protection in the winter I think.

 

[Michael Propst]

Your coop looks so neat and tidy, does it stay this tidy looking when the wind is blowing? I'm a bit hesitant to tighten my plastic sheets. If there isn't a way for the wind to "escape" it might shred the plastic.

I have had no issues. Even had blizzard conditions this past weekend with no problems. I do have the eaves left open for ventilation and it allows adequate air flow through the upper part of the run. I am adding some additional pics of outside and inside during the recent blizzard. It was snowing and blowing like crazy, I had a little actually blow in under the eaves but not enough to do anything but put a slight dusting on the 3rd level roost bars.

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Here are some pics of what I did to wrap my run...I used small flat washers with 1" galvanized screws every 9-10" or so. Hope this helps. The run is from Tractor Supply. Had to modify it a bit and put extra roofing on the right side. Gives the girls more dry protection in the winter I think.View attachment 1600998View attachment 1600998View attachment 1600998View attachment 1600999

I'm glad to see your run. It's my first winter with chickens and I had decided to only cover the west and north sides, where most of our winter winds and storms come from. I also covered a small lower part of the south side, the area where they love to sun themselves. My run is covered also. I was starting to wonder if i should cover the whole thing or not. I'm in the city so I have a small coop/run and just 5 bantams.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have had no issues. Even had blizzard conditions this past weekend with no problems. I do have the eaves left open for ventilation and it allows adequate air flow through the upper part of the run. I am adding some additional pics of outside and inside during the recent blizzard. It was snowing and blowing like crazy, I had a little actually blow in under the eaves but not enough to do anything but put a slight dusting on the 3rd level roost bars.

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I love your run! So much fun chicken stuff to do!

 

[Folly's place]

My 'run' is roofed as part of the coop, and has walls on the north and west sides. We wrap the other sides, leaving the upper foot or more open for ventilation. It works very well; ventilated, slightly warmer than ambient, and keeps things better, especially like now, with snow, and birds not wanting to be out in it.
Mary

 

[Cryss]

I see many saying they cover the south and west sides or the north and west sides. I'm really not sure which way the wind blows. I don't think I've ever really paid attention to which way tge wind blows. I just figured a nor'easter was the way to think of it and covered most of the north and east.
So how does everyone else decide?

 

[Folly's place]

Here most wind comes from the north and west, except when it doesn't, so in winter, all sides are covered, with large upper areas left open.
Mary