Wind!

[SunnyAlberta]

I live in a very windy area. My teeny, open-air coop is somewhat sheltered and I tarp it and the run for rain or snow. What about when its not cold or wet, just very, very windy? I mean get-blown-to-Oz windy. Should I tarp or closeup the coop then, too?

 

[KFox]

I live in a windy area too. It is great for ventilation but not so good for keeping a coop draft-free. A tarp is fine as protection from the elements. If it's just windy enough to blow the feathers, it probably isn't a big deal, but if the gusts are strong enough to cause balance issues, then a tarp is probably a great idea!

I planted a corkscrew willow next to the coop for starters. It is fast growing! Then I built another coop for windy days/bad weather that is on wheels. I am able to move it depending on the weather.



In this picture, you can see that this coop is built on an old trailer. It is parked between the willow and an evergreen tree. The chickens are out free-ranging but there is also a portable fence for the chickens not feeling up to a free-ranging adventure.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

Thank you, KFox. Tell me about your portable fence. Where did you get that? Brand? I need something similar.

 

[KFox]

I actually ordered mine from PetEdge. It was originally used as a baby gate when training my dog. It is 12' long and I have an open floor plan in my home so regular baby gates wouldn't work. I ordered this "play yard" for dogs and used it. It can be used while chickens are being supervised, you can buy the plastic temporary fencing stakes and put them on either side.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

I wondered if it was a pet play yard. Thanks again.