What do you use to enclose your run?

[Debnsync]

We use dollar store clear shower curtains. Here is a picture and a link to a winterizing article we published. We have also used 4 mil opaque plastic. But that is not really clear. I like the shower curtains.

Preparing the girls for winter

Nice, secure plastic, protecting all of the things they must love and happy-looking chickens, too! I read awhile back there exists a heavy yet clear tarp-like stuff with grommets which sounded like the strongest material for the run but the shower curtains appear to be holding up even with snowfall. Thanks, I’m learning on this thread, too. Oh so for now since we are using a solid-opaque-heavy tarp on 1/4 or so placed overhead on the coop-end of the run and they clearly tuck under it freely, going in and out of the coop, when it’s rained and snowed a little this week. Best regards to everyone from the Piedmont of N.C., near Chapel Hill, N.C.

 

[linguini]

What do you use to enclose your run for the winter? Tarp, polycarbonate panels, shower curtains or nothing? Im still trying to decide what is best and safest for the ladies. Also, what do you use for run ground cover? I currently have sand but heard it could be cold in the winter. Getting all my supplies ready for the winter. First winter with our girls. Pics for reference. Suggestions are appreciated. TIA

Last year was our first winter raising chickens. We used heavy duty tarp as a slanted roof inside the run, and wrap the sides with vinyl table cloths (cheapest clear plastic I could find!). Left top 1-2 ft open for ventilation. Vinyl table cloth was torn in several places by strong wind. We had to tape it up to get through the winter.

The heavy duty tarp last for about 1.25 years and we replaced with a new tarp in the fall.
This year, found clear marine vinyl for the sides, more expensive, but much stronger (20 gauge) also looks nicer.

During a couple heavy snow days, we had to go out and remove the snow off the tarp "roof" three times a day. Luckily we only had to do that twice last year.