Should You Wrap Your Chicken Run in Plastic for Winter?

Less wind. Fewer snowdrifts. Slightly fewer chicken complaints.

You open the coop door. Your hens see snow blowing through the run and immediately reconsider their plans.

Honestly? Fair.

Plastic sheets and tarps can block wind and blowing snow, giving your flock a more inviting winter hangout. The trick is keeping it sheltered without sealing everything tight.

Think sheltered porch: dry ground, less wind, and fresh air. A single sheet provides little insulation and won’t hold the sun’s warmth overnight.

This setup is for adult, fully feathered chickens. They still need a dry, secure sleeping coop; chicks and vulnerable birds need care suited to their needs.

Clear plastic or a tarp?

Clear greenhouse film: keep the daylight

Want wind protection without turning the run into a cave? Choose outdoor-rated greenhouse film.

Pros: Lets light in and covers large wall sections.
Cons: Can puncture, collect condensation, and warm the run on sunny days. Needs supported edges and adjustable airflow.

Outdoor tarps: tackle the weather side

An intact, UV-rated tarp can work on the wall that gets the worst weather.

Pros: Removable, widely available, and handy for a wall or corner.
Cons: Opaque tarps block light. Loose edges flap; grommets can pull out, and worn material may shed.

Mixing the two is fine. Keep the existing predator-resistant mesh in place—neither covering replaces it.

Thickness: what should you buy?

Before you buy: MIL is not MM

Those two little letters make a big difference. A mil is one-thousandth of an inch—not a millimeter.

6 mil = 0.1524 mm
6 mm ≈ 236 mil

That makes 6 mm nearly 40 times thicker than 6 mil. Definitely not the same item in your cart.

For our recommended greenhouse film, look for “6 mil” or about “0.15 mm” on the label. Don’t buy 6 mm by mistake.

Quick thickness and tear guide
Thickness	Tear tendency	Common causes
0.05–0.10 mm 2–4 mil	Thin, unreinforced film tears relatively easily.	Sharp wire, staple holes, snags, and flapping.
0.15 mm 6 mil	More forgiving than thinner film of the same type; still punctures.	Rough wood, stretched edges, and small cuts under tension.
0.20–0.25 mm 8–10 mil	Usually harder to puncture within the same material type.	Rubbing, sharp fasteners, and pulling around grommets.
0.30–0.41 mm 12–16 mil	More substantial, but edges and worn areas can still fail.	Worn folds, damaged hems, overloaded attachments, and UV deterioration.

These are general comparisons, not tested ratings. Reinforcement, material quality, age, and fastening can matter more than thickness. Woven tarps and smooth film won’t necessarily tear the same way.

UV labels: the good and the vague

Winter plastic still sits in sunlight. Flip the package over and look beyond the big “heavy duty” sticker.

Good signs

“UV stabilized” or “UV resistant” with an outdoor-use description.
A stated service life: for example, four-year UV-rated greenhouse film.
Written warranty details explaining coverage and installation requirements.
Cold-weather suitability. UV protection alone doesn’t establish flexibility in freezing weather.

Claims that aren’t enough

“Waterproof,” “all weather,” or “heavy duty” alone: no clear UV lifespan.
“Blocks 99% of UV”: describes light blocked, not how long the material lasts.
No outdoor or UV specifications: don’t assume painter’s plastic or a shower curtain will hold up.

Color isn’t proof, either. And a four-year UV rating doesn’t promise four winters without punctures or storm damage.

The practical homesteader setup

Start where the snow blows in

Cover the exposed sides first. Two may be enough; another site may need three. Keep protection at chicken height, generous openings above, and a path for fresh air through the run.

Make panels you can remove

On suitable wooden frames, smooth wooden strips screwed over the film’s edges spread the holding force better than a few lonely staples. Follow the covering maker’s attachment guidance.

Label panels before storing them. “Back wall” beats “I’m pretty sure this went somewhere over here.”

Leave yourself an easy adjustment

A removable or securely rolled-up section helps when the forecast can’t decide whether it’s January or April. Keep fixed ventilation too, and secure loose material and cords out of pecking reach.

Small budget? Shelter a corner

A roomy, protected corner beneath an existing suitable roof can help. Leave enough space for everyone, not one prized spot the bossiest hen can claim. See our chicken run space guide for layout help.

Before fastening: confirm the frame and anchoring can handle solid side covers. Protect sharp contact points, keep doors usable, and check for loose fasteners or tears after storms.

Do this. Skip that.

Do keep moisture moving out

Persistent dripping, wet bedding, or an ammonia smell needs attention. Increase airflow, remove wet material, and check for leaks. Keep coop vents open and clear of snow.

Do deal with runoff

Side curtains can’t stop water flowing downhill. Direct runoff away and replace wet bedding. Don’t bury loose plastic beneath an earth run floor; it can trap water and become exposed by scratching.

Don’t build a snow hammock

A tarp across flat mesh can collect heavy snow and water. Overhead covers need a structure designed for local wind and snow loads. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance; stay out from under sagging covers.

Do check sunny-day temperatures

Open adjustable sections when the run warms up. Remove covers when they’re no longer needed, and clean and dry reusable pieces before storage.

Don’t forget heat and water safety

Keep coverings away from hot surfaces and follow equipment clearances. Don’t hang a heat lamp inside a plastic-wrapped run.

Keep checking drinking water, too. Sunshine doesn’t promise an ice-free bowl tomorrow. Explore Gone Broody’s waterer heaters and de-icers for options suited to your container and setup.

Gone Broody Recommendation

Our #1 winter windbreak setup

Want the shopping list? For a sturdy, already-roofed run in a reasonably sheltered location, start here.

What to buy and how to use it
Best method	Removable clear side panels on wind-facing walls, over existing mesh. Keep generous upper ventilation.
Material	Outdoor-rated clear greenhouse polyethylene film, suitable for cold weather.
Thickness	6 mil / about 0.15 mm for supported panels.
UV rating	UV stabilized, with a stated four-year UV service life. Check written warranty terms.
Attachment	Smooth wooden strips screwed over film edges on suitable frames, following manufacturer guidance.
Windy location?	Check the structure first. Select reinforced material by its specifications; thickness alone won’t solve wind problems.

This is a side-wall recommendation, not a snow-roof specification. Keep the airflow and check after storms.

Your hens may still complain about winter. At least they’ll have a sheltered spot for the meeting.