Winterizing a tractor-help

[Prof Luna]

Hello I am a newbie,
Trying to design insulation and ventilation. I have a 10x20 atomic zombie chicken tractor. Made with hog panels and completely covered with hardware cloth. The design called for that plastic corrugated cardboard stuff for the coop, not ok for winter. I live in Massachusetts zone 5 for planting. I have 6 pullets. I realize it will be parked when/if snow comes but these days I will still be able to move it around some. Now I have a tarp for cover for rain. I searched for other threads but did not find any.

 

[Big Doggie]

Hello I am a newbie,
Trying to design insulation and ventilation. I have a 10x20 atomic zombie chicken tractor. Made with hog panels and completely covered with hardware cloth. The design called for that plastic corrugated cardboard stuff for the coop, not ok for winter. I live in Massachusetts zone 5 for planting. I have 6 pullets. I realize it will be parked when/if snow comes but these days I will still be able to move it around some. Now I have a tarp for cover for rain. I searched for other threads but did not find any.

Is this your birds’ primary residence? Was it engineered for a heavy snow load?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Pics?

 

[Prof Luna]

Is this your birds’ primary residence? Was it engineered for a heavy snow load?

 

[CluckerFamily]

My run is rectangular so that I am able to slide clear corrugated sheets along the sides for winterizing.
They may be able to bend but this wouldn't help with the snow load. It may be easier to make a pole shelter that the you can move your structure underneath.

 

[Prof Luna]

Yes it is the birds primary residence. I believe the design was only seasonal. It is hog fence now. Not sure if I want to use corrugated steel? We have a roof rake. Or if I want to line the inside with cardboard and stuff straw behind for insulation. I could even stack straw bales on the outside of the tractor. Kinda paralyzed with options.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I see now! It is a hoop coop.

Tons and tons of great information here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threadloom/search?query=Hoop coop&tab=620

Check out this one in particular.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/

For snow load you need to add more structure. It isn't to hard to do.

My hoop run is tiny in comparison but has seen quite a bit of snow.
I cover mine with HDX 6 mil plastic from home depot in winter.

We had 2' of snow in November.
I use 1/2" pvc and greenhouse clips to hold the plastic on. In summer I switch it to shade cloth.

 

[aart]

Yes it is the birds primary residence. I believe the design was only seasonal. It is hog fence now. Not sure if I want to use corrugated steel? We have a roof rake. Or if I want to line the inside with cardboard and stuff straw behind for insulation. I could even stack straw bales on the outside of the tractor. Kinda paralyzed with options.

That's a toughy.
They need protection from wind and snow.
Metal could work, but you'll want something under it like foam board to avoid condensation drippings.
Looks like you'll also need some supports inside to handle the snow load, couple 2x4's jammed between ground and top of arch would do it.

More pics showing where your roosts are might help here.