Wind protection on the run?

[NHMountainMan]

I’m planning on wrapping 2/3 of my chicken run for winter wind protection. Before winter ends, we'll see some wind chills at -50 or worse, and we'll see wind gusts in the 50-70 mph. Over the next 10 days, the forecast is calling for night temps in the 20's, but daytime above freezing, and some light snow possible. Winds are not expected to be severe.

I'm not planning on wrapping the run yet, as the forecast isn't too bad, and I want the pullets to get used to being outside in the winter and snow. I personally don't mind working out there once it gets cold, so I'm fine waiting for myself - but I want to do whats best for the chickens to acclimate.

Any suggestions or advice?

 

[cavemanrich]

Wrap the run in clear plastic , so light is still into area. I would, as high as needed, but leave a sufficient gap at top,,, if your run has a roof. Don't know how your run looks,, so am limited on giving details.
Do it now, when you are more comfortable doing it. No need to try and hardy up your chickens. Winds do not make chickens more hardy, just uncomfortable. Many peeps do provide wind breaks with bales of straw.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[aart]

I wouldn't bother waiting....or you can if you want.
Curious what you run looks like and how you plan on wrapping it,
50-70MPH gusts are nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Club cramahe coop]

I purchased some clear plexi glass from a local distributor . Hardware and big box stores charge too much. My supplier I found could cut large or small pieces to size and it was less than half the price. Now I have a tough , durable cover that will let lots of light in and block all the wind. I plan on putting a strip of wood with a groove in it along the bottom and top of it and leaving it there. Then I just slide in the plastic for the winter and slide it out for the spring and store it for next year. I won’t have to do it each year, it will look better and last much longer. Once I do it the first time, it will be easy each year after. It’s a little more of an investment , but worth it for us. I also plan on doing all side of my covered run but leave the top 8-10 inches open for ventilation. I’ll post pics when I get it on. It’s hasn't been to cold yet here.

 

[Frog Bog]

If you have greenhouses or nursery centers around, they probably have old or extra greenhouse poly laying around. It should be free and is super strong. WIll last years unlike some 5-7 mil clear plastic.

Have you wrapped it in previous years?

 

[Skippersnh]

Where in NH are you located I have snow in the forecast next Thursday over here in newport

 

[Alaskan]

I worry that wrapping all sides, leaving just a strip at the top open will let wind gust in bringing in all of the snow.

I think fully walling only 2 walls, the ones most likely to be hit by snow, usually works best..... better ventilation too.

However... it also depends on how much snow you get... when my run was smaller, and walled on 3 sides, snow just oozed on in..... but that is because when you get over 2 feet (and often with lots more) you need something to keep it from oozing into the run.

 

[Folly's place]

I wouldn't leave gaps on all four sides either. Fully protect the windward sides, and leave upper gaps on the leeward sides. Here, that means openings on the east and south sides of the covered run.
Try something, and be ready to modify the plan if things need to be changed.
Mary

 

[chickens really]

Hello. I use vapour barrier plastic on my Runs. You can buy it at any hardware store. I leave the south end uncovered. My top of the Run is wire mesh fencing covered by a tarp.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Thanks for the help and advice - interestingly - we had a 73 mph gust last night. Some power outages in the area but we dodged it this time!

Curious what you run looks like and how you plan on wrapping it,
50-70MPH gusts are nothing to sneeze at.

@aart I've attached a link to my coop page at the bottom. The run is covered by the coop (8x6) and roofing for 6 additional feet. The coop is facing north. Our wind almost always comes from the west. We have a strange wind dynamic in the there is a mountain notch about 10 miles away that sort of channels the wind in our direction.

It isn't a steady thing, but with any storm or severe weather pattern, we get strong western winds.

My thinking was to use leftover white house wrap on the western and southern sides, and leave the eastern side open. (the side with the door) Though we do get a lot of snow, the coop site, and our house, is on an exposed ridge. So usually the snow gets blown off the ridge, and accumulates in drifts further down the mountain. Heavy wet snow (Nov & late march) will stick, but most of the year, the ridge has very little snow.

My plan was to use leftover tyvek vapor barrier, attached to the 4x4 with a 2x4. As long as I keep it tight against the hardware cloth, it should hold up to the wind. If its loose and can move in the wind, it'll tear. It's white, and will let light in.

@Club cramahe coop -- I really like the plexiglass idea. I'm going to see if I can find some around.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/new-hampshire-windy-ridge-coop.75343/