Winterizing Run

[CKfarm22]

I used this, from Amazon:
View attachment 2805791

It worked really well, and held up with no problem.

I think i’m going to end up getting this! I wanted something inexpensive because we are on a budget and this seems to be the cheapest and more protective then shower curtains!

 

[Alexa61]

Hey y’all, I’m in NJ where the winters can get pretty brutal with temperatures and snow. I’m wondering what ways some of yall winterize your run.

I keep quail in a large run with a heated eglu house. I've been using transparent sheets, the sort used for covering corners of the garden where people sit. They have a reinforced edge and holes to attach the sheets to the run. It helps in the winter in Scotland, because of the transparency leaving more light for them. I keep this wrapped around the worst sides for inclement weather and the top. They can be rolled up when the weather is good. The last tarp shredded in the winter storms but this one came through with little damage. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QXS9S4V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[CluckerFamily]

That’s what we used for the roof! but this is also a good idea too, I’m just worried about the snow and winds!

I put 1x2 in two places to make sure the wind wouldn’t take the sheets off. The sheets were able to stay on even with a March funnel cloud going through my yard, only one sheet was bent; I know place three 1x2s to hold the sheets in place.
I do leave a foot gap at the top so that some breeze and snow can get through. And snow that drifts up to the top of the run and falls into the run is eaten.

 

[Folly's place]

That's what we do here; vinyl rolled sheeting, stapled and then with wood strips screwed to the run framing, with the upper foot or more left open for ventilation. Two layers are nice, and while there's limited visibility through it, the sunlight gets through, and the run area is warmed by the sun all winter. We keep ours and can reuse it another year or two.
Mary

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I do not do anything for the run, the pop door opens and there is a bit of sheltered area they can go out if they want. I have a big coop and lots of covered space. The only thing I do for winter is close the 2 windows at roost level and set up the water so it does not freeze. The key for me is plenty of space and lots of ventilation

 

[Kriscam]

I had heavy duty tarps over the run, and they did very well. But we're going to replace them with polycarbonate sheets this fall, so that it's lighter in the run. It was dark and gloomy last fall/winter.

Another thing I did was to take shower curtains and zip tie them over the west (prevailing wind) side. I went around the SW and NW corners for about 3 feet. This cut the direct wind, but there was still plenty of ventilation. Some people build removable panels to put up for the winter. I might do that next year.

I also ran an exterior grade extension cord to the run and used a large heated pet water bowl to keep their water thawed.

I'm wondering the same thing for our girls in the Pacific NW. I found some clear tarps on the internet that I think might keep out the wind and let in the light. Anyone have experience with those? It shows them being used in outdoor seating areas at restaurants.

 

[CKfarm22]

I'm wondering the same thing for our girls in the Pacific NW. I found some clear tarps on the internet that I think might keep out the wind and let in the light. Anyone have experience with those? It shows them being used in outdoor seating areas at restaurants.

Read the other replies.

 

[AEG]

Hey y’all, I’m in NJ where the winters can get pretty brutal with temperatures and snow. I’m wondering what ways some of yall winterize your run.

Hey. I live in northern Alberta Canada. We have 7 girls and have worked through this question. What we do is start with a heated water bowl hanging in their coop. Then we ensure there is ventilation on the side of the coop the does not receive the brunt of the weather. We wrap poly plastic wrap (bought in rolls) around their run leaving one side (again not in direct target of wind and snow ) open. This allows in lots of fresh air and the light comes through the poly. A little snow doesn’t hurt them….in fact they love it. We tried tarps our first year but they were too dark.
The girls are out during the day every day as they like until it gets to -25C (-13F). When it gets that cold we keep them in the coop. There is a lot of controversy over whether to heat your coop or not. I will leave that for others to debate but here where we can get to -40C we have chosen to heat. We researched and have a very safe heat lamp and intended for use in coops (sorry I no longer remember its name) and only use it as night when temps drop below -25C. If it is colder than that during the day we leave it on. Please be careful that you have done this safely to avoid the risk of fire. Also the danger of providing it is losing power then they won’t have it when needed after getting use to it. Luckily we have a backup generator.
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about winterizing your coop is to allow ventilation. How much depends on your weather. As long as they are dry they will be ok. Once things get damp they are at real risk. We are in a dry climate so my 2 six inch vents are all I need but being nearer the ocean I assume you are more humid. Perhaps others in similar areas can offer ideas of how much.
Finally, if it gets very cold take a few minutes each week and rub some Vaseline jelly on their combs. This really helps prevent frostbite.
Good luck

 

[CKfarm22]

Hey. I live in northern Alberta Canada. We have 7 girls and have worked through this question. What we do is start with a heated water bowl hanging in their coop. Then we ensure there is ventilation on the side of the coop the does not receive the brunt of the weather. We wrap poly plastic wrap (bought in rolls) around their run leaving one side (again not in direct target of wind and snow ) open. This allows in lots of fresh air and the light comes through the poly. A little snow doesn’t hurt them….in fact they love it. We tried tarps our first year but they were too dark.
The girls are out during the day every day as they like until it gets to -25C (-13F). When it gets that cold we keep them in the coop. There is a lot of controversy over whether to heat your coop or not. I will leave that for others to debate but here where we can get to -40C we have chosen to heat. We researched and have a very safe heat lamp and intended for use in coops (sorry I no longer remember its name) and only use it as night when temps drop below -25C. If it is colder than that during the day we leave it on. Please be careful that you have done this safely to avoid the risk of fire. Also the danger of providing it is losing power then they won’t have it when needed after getting use to it. Luckily we have a backup generator.
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about winterizing your coop is to allow ventilation. How much depends on your weather. As long as they are dry they will be ok. Once things get damp they are at real risk. We are in a dry climate so my 2 six inch vents are all I need but being nearer the ocean I assume you are more humid. Perhaps others in similar areas can offer ideas of how much.
Finally, if it gets very cold take a few minutes each week and rub some Vaseline jelly on their combs. This really helps prevent frostbite.
Good luck

I know this is quite an old post but does vaseline actually help prevent frostbite?

 

[aart]

I know this is quite an old post but does vaseline actually help prevent frostbite?

But it's your thread, so you can continue it anytime you want

No vaseline does not help, can make it worse in some cases.
Best to leave hands off before and after.

- Vaseline on chickens in Quebec = the combs are sure to get frostbitten. The salve adds moisture to the skin instead of protecting it, so covering the single combs of my birds with it during particularly cold nights is a very bad idea. If there is a way to protect single combs with Vaseline without icing them over, I have not found it.