Plexiglass for winter covering

[RNPAULIE69]

That 2x4 at the bottom of the pic is standing upright and screwed into place with another going on outside. My husband jokingly refers to the coop and pen as chicken Fort Knox..I have multiple locks with carabiners on each door. I have hardware cloth buried around the whole perimeter and at the back of coop on the ground I have 16x16 patio squares that I have a hard time moving. I know that predators can show up anywhere but where I live my biggest concern is hawks. We have had skunks and one fox in the past but now that we have a complete fenced in backyard we haven't seen them. We see wild turkeys bunnies and the groundhogs that lives under the shed.

 

[Stephen1152]

I just put a few plexiglass panels up on my pen and will add more as it gets colder. This will be my first winter with chickens so I dont know how it will hold up yetView attachment 1159137

I am going with the Plexiglas. However, I am not screwing it in. I am using hooks to keep the panels tightly in place so not to break the glass with the screws. I think the key thing here is to make sure you have good ventilation. I am going to leave 2 inches around the top open all the way around. My coop is also situated in a corner where I have a stockade fence. So I might leave off one panel as I don't think that area will get much wind or snow. Again, I personally like the idea but I think the key thing is good ventilation.

 

[biophiliac]

I am going with the Plexiglas. However, I am not screwing it in. I am using hooks to keep the panels tightly in place so not to break the glass with the screws. I think the key thing here is to make sure you have good ventilation. I am going to leave 2 inches around the top open all the way around. My coop is also situated in a corner where I have a stockade fence. So I might leave off one panel as I don't think that area will get much wind or snow. Again, I personally like the idea but I think the key thing is good ventilation.

I asked my brother about this bc I was thinking of using a bit of PG and he said there are special bits/screws that won't crack it..fwiw. good luck!

 

[onaharley]

Here's what I came up with this weekend. I got these roofing panels from Lowes called tuftex uv protected. I love that they are clear and keep my loves protected from predators.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd consider going higher, at least on the sides that have rain and snow blowing into the pen. A roll of clear plastic sheeting, 3 or 4 mil, works great. Leave the top foot or so open for ventilation. Mary

 

[Sunshine Flock]

View attachment 1157546 View attachment 1157549 View attachment 1157550 I use the nearly clear plastic that comes in rolls, doubled over, on the lower part of my run. I leave the upper foot or more open for ventilation, Staples, and then screws into 1"x4" boards over the plastic into the run framing. It works great, and the plastic can be reused at least once. It also will roll up in spring, so easier to store than plexiglass panels. Mary

I love your chicken coop. The lower slanted roof to the back and high front seems like a great use of space, and I like the builtin run up front.

 

[Folly's place]

Thanks! My coop grew in sections over time, and works well. Mary

 

[onaharley]

I'd consider going higher, at least on the sides that have rain and snow blowing into the pen. A roll of clear plastic sheeting, 3 or 4 mil, works great. Leave the top foot or so open for ventilation. Mary

oh yes i plan on doing that this weekend around the whole pen. I am still trying to decide if i want to do 4 mill plastic or put up scrap tin roofing on all the sides. I have a feeling that the plastic will make to much noise and scare them and they won't want to go into the pen at night.....IDK
The clear roofing material is going to always stay on even in the summer.

 

[Folly's place]

I do like the skirt; Mine is repurposed deck boards. My birds have no problems with the clear plastic, and it lets light and sunlight in, so the coop is warmer than ambient temps in winter. Mary

 

[onaharley]

I do like the skirt; Mine is repurposed deck boards. My birds have no problems with the clear plastic, and it lets light and sunlight in, so the coop is warmer than ambient temps in winter. Mary

That's what i was thinking when it came to the plastic.....letting the light in and keeping it warmer...Thanks!