The Dynamic Duo: Storm Shields & FarmStraw for Winter Chicken Runs
Your chickens can handle cold temperatures just fine—but they can't handle being miserable. A run that's exposed to bitter winds, driving sleet, and snow becomes a place your flock avoids, leaving them cooped up indoors all winter long. The solution? A one-two punch that transforms your chicken run into a comfortable winter haven: Winter Storm Shields paired with FarmStraw bedding.
Why Your Chicken Run Needs Winter Protection
Here's what most chicken keepers don't realize: it's not the cold that makes chickens unhappy in winter—it's the wet, the wind, and having nowhere comfortable to go. When your run is exposed to the elements, your flock spends all day crammed inside the henhouse. Less activity means more pecking order disputes, more boredom, and ultimately, less healthy chickens.
But when you create a protected, dry outdoor space, everything changes. Your chickens stay active, get fresh air, and maintain their natural behaviors even in the depths of winter.
Winter Storm Shields: Your First Line of Defense
Think of Winter Storm Shields as the walls that turn your chicken run into a three-season room. Our polycarbonate chicken coop storm shields attach directly to your Carolina Coop run, blocking harsh winter winds, driving rain, sleet, and snow while still allowing natural daylight to flood through.
Unlike cheaper materials that yellow and crack after a season or two, polycarbonate maintains its crystal-clear appearance year after year. The panels are pre-drilled for easy installation on Carolina Coops, and they're strong enough to withstand heavy snow loads and high winds without warping or breaking.
The real magic happens when you see your chickens actually choosing to be outside on days you'd normally find them huddled inside. Winter Storm Shields create a draft-free zone where your flock can scratch around, dust bathe, and socialize without battling the elements.
Who needs storm shields? If you're in zones 1-5, they're practically essential. Zone 6 chicken keepers benefit if you regularly deal with heavy snow or strong winter winds.
Pro tip: Leave the front open for airflow while blocking the sides that catch the worst weather.
Installing Winter Storm Shields
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FarmStraw: The Foundation of Winter Comfort
Our Winter Storm Shields keep the nasty weather out, but FarmStraw by HealthiStraw creates the warm, dry foundation your chickens need underfoot. This isn't just regular straw thrown in your run—it's wheat straw, transformed by an innovative cleaning and processing method that makes it exceptionally absorbent, fluffy, and dust-free.
Here's why FarmStraw is a game-changer for winter runs:
Insulation where it matters. Spread 2-4 inches of FarmStraw in your run, and you've created a thick insulating layer between your chickens' feet and the frozen ground. They'll happily forage and scratch around even on the coldest days because they're comfortable.
Keeps duck eggs from freezing. For duck keepers, this is huge. Ducks tend to lay eggs wherever they happen to be, often in the run. FarmStraw's insulating properties can actually prevent those eggs from freezing before you collect them—something regular straw just can't do as effectively.
Stays drier, longer. The ultra-absorbent nature of FarmStraw means it wicks moisture away and stays fluffy and dry, even with snowmelt and chicken droppings. One bag expands to cover about 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, so a little goes a long way.
Composts beautifully. Come spring, all that used FarmStraw becomes excellent garden compost. It breaks down up to four times faster than wood shavings, and because it's made from sustainably sourced, non-GMO wheat straw, you're feeding your garden beds with quality organic matter.
Why We Love FarmStraw
This isn't just regular straw thrown in your run—it's wheat straw that's been revolutionized through an innovative cleaning and processing method that makes it exceptionally absorbent, fluffy, and dust-free.
Better Together: The Complete Winter Run Solution
When you combine our Winter Storm Shields with FarmStraw, you're creating what chickens actually want: a dry, draft-free space with comfortable footing and plenty of natural light. Your flock will spend more time outside, which means:
Healthier, more active chickens
Less boredom and fewer behavioral issues
Better air quality inside the henhouse (fewer birds crammed inside all day)
Happier chicken keepers who don't feel guilty about their cooped-up flock
The installation is straightforward for both products. Winter Storm Shields screw directly onto your run, and FarmStraw simply spreads out like super-premium bedding. Together, they solve the two biggest winter run problems: exposure to harsh weather and cold, wet ground conditions.
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The Bottom Line in Winter Protection for Your Flock
Your chickens deserve to enjoy fresh air and outdoor time year-round, not just during pleasant weather. Storm shields and FarmStraw work together to make that possible, transforming your run from a winter wasteland into a space your flock actually wants to use.
For chicken keepers in cold climates, this combination isn't just nice to have—it's the difference between chickens who are merely surviving winter and chickens who are genuinely thriving through it. And when your flock is happy and active all winter long, you'll wonder why you waited so long to make the upgrade.
Ready to give your flock the winter run they deserve? Check out our Winter Storm Shields and FarmStraw at Carolina Coops and transform your winter chicken keeping experience.
The Author: Ingrid Fromm
Since 2017, Ingrid has been living the backyard chicken dream—complete with what she lovingly calls her "bougie birds." Her journey began with the purchase of an American Coop, which eventually led to her role in marketing for Carolina Coops, where she gets to share her passion professionally. When she's not tending to her pampered poultry, you'll find Ingrid cultivating her permaculture food forest right in the heart of Raleigh, proving that sustainable, organic living thrives even within city limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need Winter Storm Shields?
We like to use the plant hardiness map as a reference:
If you live in ZONE 7 – ZONE 13, you WILL NOT need our winter storm shields.
If you live in ZONE 6, you may benefit from our winter storm shield if you get heavy snow or strong, cold winds, which are common in winter. (If you do use the storm shields, we suggest leaving the front side open.)
If you live in ZONE 1–ZONE 5, you may want to consider our winter storm shields to protect your flock from snow, cold winds, and sleet during the winter months.
Remember, chickens do better in the cold than in the heat. Our storm shields are just to keep your chicken run dry and draft-free in extreme winter weather.
How much FarmStraw will I need?
FarmStraw is packed in a 3 cubic foot bag. One bag goes a long way.
Eacg 3 cubic foot package expands to 10 to 12 cubic feet.
Each bag weighs between 25 and 28 pounds.
Square Foot Conversion:
2 inches = 100 sq ft | 4 inches = 50 sq ft | 6 inches = 35 sq ft
Can I use FarmStraw in my nest boxes?
You can use it, but because it’s chopped, it doesn’t give your hens those long, stringy bits they love for building a proper, cozy nest. We usually recommend coastal hay or alfalfa, but regular wheat straw works just fine if that’s what you’ve got locally.
Our favorite setup is pairing our Hemp Fiber Nest Pads with a layer of hay on top—soft, warm, cushiony… basically a five-star suite for your girls. They will be thrilled.
Do I put the Winter Storm Shields on the inside or outside of the coop?
You can do either. Our Winter Storm Shields are pre-drilled and are designed to fit over the hardware cloth portion of your coop. We find they look best if installed from the inside of the run. It also makes it easy to install or take off year after year, just use the same holes you drilled when installing the first time.
