What do you use to enclose your run?

[Sbr73]

What do you use to enclose your run for the winter? Tarp, polycarbonate panels, shower curtains or nothing? Im still trying to decide what is best and safest for the ladies. Also, what do you use for run ground cover? I currently have sand but heard it could be cold in the winter. Getting all my supplies ready for the winter. First winter with our girls. Pics for reference. Suggestions are appreciated. TIA

 

[Aunt Angus]

Before I lived out here in the woods, I used cheap plastic shower curtains on rods I attached to the run's roof. I left one end open (depending on the direction of the rain). Now I have clear corrugated plastic panels I attach with magnetic hooks (my run is a big ol' dog kennel). Works great, even against snow (although I don't really get much snow here).

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Following

 

[rosemarythyme]

Nothing here, but then again my run is uncovered so that doesn't help. At most we get 2-3' feet of snow, so I just let the snow fall in and then clear out a few areas of the run for the chickens to use.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Nothing here, but then again my run is uncovered so that doesn't help. At most we get 2-3' feet of snow, so I just let the snow fall in and then clear out a few areas of the run for the chickens to use.

Lucky wish it could be that way in eastern iowa

 

[Silexian]

All of my runs are covered. So I don’t add anything to the sides. My runs also drain well. So they just have regular soil in them. I do clean the litter that comes out of the pop doors and manure out every couple of weeks.

 

[aart]

Nothing, as the run roof structure wouldn't support a snow load here in the snow belt.
Well, I do put up a window panel on the north side of the 'under-run'.

 

[Mtn Cur]

Canvas tarps will last a few seasons. If they aren't touching the ground. Tyvek housewrap found at lowes-homedepot will weather pretty good. If you use tyvek it will take lots of zip ties

 

[Sally PB]

I used heavy duty tarps from TSC (the black/silver ones) over the top frame of my run last year. It worked very well, but it was dark and gloomy in there. This year we put up polycarbonate panels. The metal frame of the run is quite strong, but I made a point of brooming off the snow whenever it was more than an inch or so.

Around the prevailing wind side (west), I hung up clear shower curtains with zip ties. I went about 3 feet around the NW and SW corners. This worked very well too, and the shower curtains are in good enough shape to use again.

I have enough of the polycarbonate left to make a more substantial wind blocker on the west side of the run. It'll last a long time and be easier to install, remove, and store.

 

[jreardon1918]

We use dollar store clear shower curtains. Here is a picture and a link to a winterizing article we published. We have also used 4 mil opaque plastic. But that is not really clear. I like the shower curtains.

Preparing the girls for winter