Winter insulating

[grannyhensdream]

Hi all. This will be our first winter raising chickens. We added a run to the original coop/run. It has a wonderful roof but our concern is protecting the run from wind and rain. We are somewhat elevated in open farmland and the winds get really rough. We are considering placing plastic around it to keep down to force of the wind, rain and snow. Any ideas for the mil of plastic to use? Or any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

@DobieLover can you advise here?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

I have no direct experience with chickens in severe weather, but many people who have cold winters will wrap 3 sides of their run in plastic of various kinds -- leaving a generous vent at the top -- to keep the wind and blowing snow out. Clear shower curtains are a commonly-used option.

Ventilation is as critical in the winter as it is in the summer because it's the key to keeping chickens dry. Dry chickens who are out of the wind readily tolerate temperatures down to, and even below, 0F.

Here are some helpful articles:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[grannyhensdream]

Thanks so much. I will check out those sites. I appreciate your help. I'm in NE PA.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks so much. I will check out those sites. I appreciate your help. I'm in NE PA.

I'm just north of you.
I purchased reinforced poly sheeting (6 mil thick), banner seaming tape, snaps and a snap install kit and made my own tarps.
The snaps were just intended to hold the larger tarps in place until I could pin them down to the vertical framing members with ripped down deck boards.
They will go into service for their fourth winter this November.

You want to leave space at the top of the tarps for ample ventilation.

 

[grannyhensdream]

That is what we were thinking. So the 6mil will work then. Thanks so much! That is a great setup by the way. Beautiful!

 

[grannyhensdream]

I'm just north of you.
I purchased reinforced poly sheeting (6 mil thick), banner seaming tape, snaps and a snap install kit and made my own tarps.
The snaps were just intended to hold the larger tarps in place until I could pin them down to the vertical framing members with ripped down deck boards.
They will go into service for their fourth winter this November.

View attachment 3256400
You want to leave space at the top of the tarps for ample ventilation.

That is really great. We were making frames but got interrupted by this horrible rain and wind. The run was soaked in the mean time so we ended up quickly stapling the plastic to most of the run. Your plastic looks see-through. we got the 6 mil but we can't see through it and neither can the chickens. Sigh.....