Wrapped for Winter

This will be our third CT winter and I'm going to do something different with the wrap. Instead of fixing the wrap using staples, I'm going to hang/fix the wrap using hooks. I would like to be able to 'Roll up the wrap' on sunny, non windy days with the option to fix it to the run if heavy, cold winds come. Our winter was pretty mild last year and I took the wrap off somewhat early compared to the year before. Hens seem to thrive in what i would call cold weather. They seem very comfortable in the 30's-40's. Even when its below 30, they seem comfortable unless the wind comes. 0-10 degrees they all stand around like they are starched. We shall see. Good luck with the winter everyone. If your new to chicken keeping this winter, your chickens are more comfortable than you think. Blocking every little nook and cranny is not necessary. (I did that my first winter). Fresh air making its way into the nooks and crannies is necessary imo. I think super fresh air is more important than fussing over blocking every little space, crack or hole. Leave ventilation along the top of whatever you wrap. 🐔 :love
 
If had a solid roof I would use clear tarps for the walls.
But I don't so I just shovel out as necessary.

I have a greenhouse tarp on the top of my chain link run 'roof' year round, as well as tennis court shade screen rolling around the top 4' of my 6' high sides and on the top in scattered random places for additional shade on the ground. In the winter I bolt metal roof panels around the bottom of the run, completely on the North and West sides, and 10' of the East side. I leave the South end (20' x 8' x 6') open so they can still get fresh air and so they can see out across our 72 acres. I used clear shower curtains all the way around one winter, but they got so weather worn that they couldn't see out and I couldn't see into the run. So never did that again. My attached pictures is how I've done my 20'x30'x6' fully enclosed, chain link dog panel run for the past 3 winters now and everyone's happy. They stay warm without the cold winter winds blowing across them and it helps keep snowfall to a VERY minimal amount inside their run.
 

Attachments

  • 20241102_084724.jpg
    20241102_084724.jpg
    1,004.2 KB · Views: 10
  • 20241102_095847.jpg
    20241102_095847.jpg
    775.5 KB · Views: 9
I wrap the south and north sides in cheap dollar store clear shower curtains. As well as under the coop. Notice that there is a large opening to allow airflow. This picture is a bit old. The plastic was not as see through as what is currently in use.
I used clear shower curtains too, and they work great!
 
Wind blocks. Once we get further into winter, we have clear shower curtains for the front side when we get that lovely polar vortex or artic blast bs lol

South side is fully covered and there is gap on east.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20241113_202615282.jpg
    PXL_20241113_202615282.jpg
    877.2 KB · Views: 1

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom