Sunroom remodel, wall opinions?

[Ruralhideaway]

Thanks again first of all. I'm a never ending source of questions about this coop. I'm so grateful for all the help!

So my current run is roofed, and i enclosed it quickly with corrugated clear roofing panels when the weather turned cold suddenly.

A much bigger run is going up in the spring with a new covered section. Then the current run will join the current coop and double the space. This is a 3 walled shed attached to the side of a larger barn, split roughly in half. Things are getting a bit tight in the coop, plus the 4 bigger pullets basically keep the little ones trapped in the coop mostly.

I'm undecided about walls. I'd love to have the current run section left open air for the summer. That's north and west walls open incidentally.

My question is, would just the clear panels over wire be adequate walls for winter? If so I'll likely tear out the dividing wall this weekend. It'll mean no run area until spring but still the same space they have now, just more open.

Potentially colder? Is my current motley collection of various types of wood providing much R value anyway? Is that even important compared to improved space and ventilation? May be colder, yes, but then the entire space will also benefit from the south facing window that heats the coop up nicely on warm days.

So what do you guys think? Do I need wood walls?

 

[azygous]

You're basically describing my run. Click on my user name then profile, then albums where it says new run. You'll see lots of photos of what I built. https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/albums/new-pen.6343434/

My run is covered with corrugated fiberglass panels, some opaque, some white to provide alternating shade and sun. Parts of the north and south wall are stationary full length old glass doors. The rest of the run sides are poultry mesh and hardware cloth, left open in summer and covered with Coroplast panels in winter.

The floor is sand. Between the sand on the floor of the run and the panels on the roof and sides that let in sunlight, there's a greenhouse effect and it stays pretty comfortable even on very cold winter days because the sand warms up and holds the heat from the sun.

All chickens need is protection from freezing wind and snow. It need not be insulated.

 

[blackdog043]

I don't see a problem using the panels vs the wood wall. You will just need a way to keep them in place.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I don't see a problem using the panels vs the wood wall. You will just need a way to keep them in place.

They are already up with screws and washers. Not really a finished install but it got the birds out of the wind fast. Bit drafty but I can easily tighten things up.

Going to see how azygous did her run now. I've seen the pics but this time I'll be looking for specifics! Thanks.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

That's a great setup. Couldn't help admiring the way the building steps down the hill. Looks like it really belongs there. Great light inside, so much glass and clear materials. Very nice. Happy chickens clearly live there.

So I guess I'll likely go for it as soon as the weather allows a few days outside working. Wouldn't be such an immediate issue were integration more complete but the big pullets just love claiming the run and leaving 15 big chicks stuffed inside. They really delight in this but my nose says things aren't right in there. I think they'll do better with no little door to guard, the 4 won't be able to manage the crowd once everyone's spread out more I think.

Roost access is another issue more easily solved minus the wall. High roosts can get other means of access and I can get some lower brahma friendly ones added.

Excited to get started! Then onto the run project when I can set posts.

 

[azygous]

Sounds exciting! I had a lot of fun with mine, especially creating the partitioned spaces. Those have proven one of the best things I did, second to the sun roof and sides.

In one of my early coop iterations, I had just one pophole and two sets of pullets as you are presently dealing with. One of the older ones would station herself just inside the pophole at roosting time to pick off the younger ones as they tried to enter.

After the second night of watching this circus, I got out drill, saw, and 2 x 4 scraps and cut another pophole into the coop at the opposite end. Problem solved. The younger pullets quickly figured out the bully could only watch one entrance at a time.

These chickens can really keep you on your toes.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I was going to add a second door too. But there's a much needed ramp in that area so it would entail some rethinking. Seems not worth it knowing I'll be taking that dividing wall away soon enough anyway, even if I had to use wood on the sides for winter. I'd far rather just open it all up now. My gut says it'll go better

 

[aart]

Then the current run will join the current coop and double the space. This is a 3 walled shed attached to the side of a larger barn

Might want wood walls in new 'coop area'.
Got pics?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

The one we were discussing adding a half hoop to, @aart .

I picked up lumber today to really tighten and trim up the edges to prevent drafts. Too airy in there now but plans to deflect the air flow in the eaves a bit.

The inside long wall

 

[aart]

Ohhhh, yeeeaaah!
So are they roosting in there now.....or just using as a run?
I still think that area should have wooden wall, and some windows, use the clear panels for the new run next winter.
Or maybe do some 'testing'...
.... put thermometers in both coop and this plastic paneled run and see what the temps are, might help you decide if you need 'real' walls or not.