Winter wonderland

[Suzi18]

I live in SW Ohio, so weather is more moderate. We use a clear tarp (like the kind used on party tents) on the first 1/2 of the north side. It help break the wind and keep out blowing snow. Maybe just covering the prevailing wind side may be enough. If you have a sunny, warm day, the run may heat up too much.

Thank you so much for the response.Where did you get the clear tarps?

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

I am thinking of ordering some clear tarps as wind protection for the winter and I found this source online.
They have a huge selection of sizes.

http://www.tarpsonline.com/tarps/

 

[Suzi18]

I am thinking of ordering some clear tarps as wind protection for the winter and I found this source online.
They have a huge selection of sizes.

http://www.tarpsonline.com/tarps/

Perfect! Thank you

 

[CapricornFarm]

Those seem quite pricey!

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Those seem quite pricey!

I agree that the clear poly tarps are pretty pricey.
Their prices on other kinds of tarps aren't too bad. But I would want to be able to see my chickens from the house and, for the side of the run that faces the house, I might spring for the clear stuff.
For the rest of it, a solid color might be okay.
They have a comparison chart listing sizes and thicknesses of their tarps:

http://www.tarpsonline.com/tarps/allpoly.aspx

 

[aart]

Those seem quite pricey!

Good thick tarps are pricey...
......but have you ever priced plexiglass panels?
Quick search found 4 x 8 x 0.10 acrylic sheet is $90.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=90535886&cp=2568443.2568451.2624969.1259758

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Good thick tarps are pricey...
......but have you ever priced plexiglass panels?

Facing some serious health issues here and thoughts of a nice polycarbonate roof on the run will probably be on hold for quite a while. Thinking of covering at least part of the run with a good heavy tarp, at least for this season.
I've used cheap tarps in the past to cover stuff and had them shred in less than a year so if I do go the tarp route this time I will spring for something that will not have me cursing and climbing ladders sooner than I would care to.

 

[Suzi18]

The clear tarps seem about as much as the plexiglass but would be a bit easier to work with and store when not in use. I may try one of each and see what works best fo me.

 

[TalkALittle]

The clear tarps seem about as much as the plexiglass but would be a bit easier to work with and store when not in use. I may try one of each and see what works best fo me.

There are 2 kinds of "clear" tarps. There's clear vinyl which is as clear as a window and are super expensive. And then there are reinforced clear poly tarps that are sometimes referred to as greenhouse tarps that are a fraction of the cost. These are more like a semi-transparent milky white but still let in a ton of light.
http://www.tarpsplus.com/clear-tarps.html