Plan a Safer Temporary-Cover Setup Around Barns and Animal Shelters

By Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products / Mary Joan Isorena, Communications
Published: October 1, 2026

Fall is a good time to inspect tarps and temporary covers around barns and animal shelters before colder, wetter weather arrives. The goal isn't simply to pull a tarp tight. A practical setup has to consider the cover itself, its intended attachment points, the surrounding ground, ventilation, animal access and where every rope and ground anchor will be located.

On farms and rural properties, temporary covers may be used in different ways around equipment, supplies and compatible outdoor shelter areas. Whatever the application, a ground anchor should support a properly planned installation—not compensate for the wrong cover, a damaged tie-down point or an unsafe location.

For compatible outdoor applications in suitable soil, AnchorStake™ — a partner brand, sold by FLI Products — provides a reusable, rust-free ABS ground-anchor option for ropes and guylines used with tarps and other temporary covers.

For more ground-anchoring resources, visit the AnchorStake Hub.

Key Takeaways

• Start with the tarp or cover manufacturer's instructions and use its designated tie-down points.

• Keep stakes, ropes and loose material outside areas where horses, chickens, dogs or other animals can contact or become entangled in them.

• Don't block the ventilation a barn or animal shelter needs simply to reduce cold air. Proper air exchange remains important during colder weather. Penn State Extension

• Inspect the soil and the entire tie-down arrangement rather than assuming one anchoring method works in every ground condition.

• AnchorStake is an 11.5-inch, rust-free ABS ground anchor designed for compatible outdoor applications including tarps and canopies.

• A temporary ground anchor is not a structural anchor for a barn, shelter, fence or other permanent building.

Why Fall Is a Good Time to Check Farm Tarps and Temporary Covers

Fall changes how many outdoor areas around a farm are used.

Equipment may be moved into seasonal storage. Supplies that spent summer in the open may need additional protection. Existing tarps may have worn grommets, loose ropes or damaged material after months outdoors. Areas around barns, chicken houses, horse facilities and dog runs may also need to be prepared for changing weather.

That makes fall a logical time to inspect a temporary-cover setup from end to end.

Before installing or reusing a cover, check:

• the condition and intended use of the tarp or cover;

• its grommets, loops or other manufacturer-provided attachment points;

• ropes, guylines or other compatible tie-down components;

• the location and condition of the surrounding soil;

• nearby gates, doors, pathways and work areas;

• animal-accessible areas; and

• ventilation openings that must remain functional.

A secure tarp is only one part of a successful setup.

Where Can Temporary Covers Make Sense Around a Farm or Ranch?

The application determines whether a temporary cover—and a ground stake—is appropriate.

Around Barn Exteriors

A compatible tarp may be used for an outdoor storage or covering application beside a barn where the cover manufacturer provides appropriate tie-down points and suitable soil is available for ground anchoring.

The important distinction is that the ground stakes are securing the compatible temporary cover—not anchoring the barn itself.

Keep guylines away from doors, driveways, equipment routes and places where people or animals regularly walk.

Around Chicken Houses and Runs

Fall and winter preparation for poultry requires more than simply blocking cold air.

University of Minnesota Extension advises poultry owners to manage drafts while still maintaining ventilation because air exchange helps control moisture and ammonia. Moisture accumulation combined with cold temperatures can also contribute to condensation. University of Minnesota Extension

That means a temporary exterior cover should not simply seal every opening in a chicken coop.

If a compatible tarp or cover is being used around an outdoor portion of the setup, follow the shelter and cover manufacturer's directions and make sure it does not interfere with required ventilation. Any stakes and ropes should remain outside the chickens' accessible area.

Around Horse Barns

The same principle is especially important around horse facilities.

Penn State Extension explains that horse stables need fresh-air exchange even in cold weather. Closing a stable too tightly can allow moisture, odor and ammonia to accumulate, while effective ventilation replaces stale air and distributes fresh air through the stable.

A tarp should therefore never be treated as a substitute for proper barn design or ventilation management.

Where a temporary exterior cover is appropriate, position its ropes and anchors where horses cannot reach them and where they will not interfere with normal movement around stalls, paddocks, gates or barn entrances.

Around Dog Runs and Outdoor Kennel Areas

Temporary covers may also be part of some outdoor dog-run or kennel setups, provided the particular structure is designed to accept them.

Again, the animal comes first.

A rope or stake that works perfectly well in an equipment-storage area may be inappropriate inside an enclosure where an animal can chew it, pull on it or become tangled in it.

Use only compatible attachment locations and keep ground anchors and guylines outside the animal-accessible space whenever the setup allows.

Start With the Cover—Not the Ground Stake

Before choosing an anchor, determine how the cover is supposed to be secured.

A tarp may have reinforced grommets, loops or another manufacturer-designed attachment system. Those are the points that should guide the installation.

Don't create a new attachment point by puncturing a cover unless its manufacturer specifically permits that method. Don't assume every grommet is designed for every load. And don't use a ground stake to compensate for a cover that is damaged or inappropriate for the application.

The sequence should be:

COVER → INTENDED TIE-DOWN POINT → COMPATIBLE ROPE OR GUYLINE → APPROPRIATE GROUND ANCHOR → SUITABLE SOIL

Each part needs to make sense with the others.

Check the Ground Before You Anchor

Farm properties can contain very different ground conditions within a relatively small area.

The soil beside a barn may be different from the ground around a pasture, chicken run or equipment area. Recent rain can also change ground conditions.

Before installing any ground anchor, inspect the intended location.

Also consider what may be below the surface. Don't drive a stake into an area where buried utilities, irrigation, electrical lines, drainage components or other underground systems may be present. When necessary, determine the location of underground utilities before beginning work.

And remember that a ground stake requires ground. AnchorStake is not intended to be driven into concrete, asphalt, a barn floor or another hard building surface.

Keep Ropes and Stakes Out of Animal and Traffic Areas

A farm has movement everywhere: animals, people, tractors, utility vehicles, wheelbarrows and equipment.

That makes placement just as important as holding the tarp.

Avoid running a guyline across:

• barn entrances;

• gates;

• feed or water access;

• animal travel areas;

• pedestrian paths;

• equipment routes; or

• frequently used work areas.

If the only possible anchoring position would create an obstruction or put the rope or stake within reach of an animal, reconsider the setup rather than forcing the installation.

A clean tie-down layout should be easy to see, easy to inspect and located away from normal movement.

Don't Sacrifice Ventilation Just to Block Fall Weather

This is particularly important around animal housing.

A barn or coop that feels warmer because every opening has been covered is not automatically healthier.

Penn State's horse-stable guidance emphasizes continuous fresh-air exchange, including during cold weather, to control moisture, odors and ammonia. University of Minnesota Extension similarly advises maintaining ventilation in chicken coops during cold weather to control moisture and air quality.

So if a tarp is being added near an animal shelter, ask two separate questions:

Is the cover helping with the intended temporary outdoor application?

and

Is the shelter still ventilating the way it needs to?

Those are not the same question.

Where AnchorStake Fits

For a compatible tarp or temporary-cover application with suitable soil, AnchorStake provides a reusable ground-anchoring option.

AnchorStake is:

• 11.5 inches long;

• manufactured from ABS plastic;

• rust-free;

• designed for outdoor applications including tarps and canopies;

• reusable;

• sold in a 10-pack; and

• Made in USA.

Its built-in attachment design accommodates ropes or guy wires for compatible applications.

For a farm or ranch application, the key is not simply having a substantial stake. It's using the stake as one component of an appropriate temporary-cover setup.

AnchorStake is not a structural foundation or permanent building anchor. It should not be presented as securing a barn, chicken house, horse barn, kennel or other building itself.

Need a reusable ground anchor for a compatible tarp or temporary outdoor cover? Explore AnchorStake at fliproducts.com.

A Practical Fall Inspection Routine

Once a temporary cover is installed, don't treat it as a set-it-and-forget-it project.

Walk the setup periodically and after meaningful weather changes. Look at the entire system:

Is the cover still intact? Are its designated attachment points undamaged? Are the ropes still correctly connected? Has the ground softened or changed? Are stakes still properly positioned? Has anything shifted into an animal, pedestrian or equipment area?

Also check whether the cover is still needed.

Temporary means temporary. When the application ends, remove the cover, ropes and ground anchors rather than leaving unused hardware around an active farm area.

What AnchorStake Should Not Be Used to Do

Understanding the limits of the application is just as important as understanding the product.

Do not use this article as a basis for:

• structurally anchoring a barn or animal shelter;

• replacing engineered anchors or permanent foundations;

• ignoring a tarp or shelter manufacturer's anchoring instructions;

• blocking required barn or coop ventilation;

• placing exposed ropes or stakes where animals can become entangled;

• creating trip hazards in work or walking areas; or

• assuming the same anchoring setup is appropriate for every soil condition or weather situation.

For engineered structures, permanent installations or applications with specified structural loads, use the anchoring system required by the structure manufacturer or a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AnchorStake be used with a tarp around a barn?

AnchorStake is designed for compatible outdoor applications including tarps. The tarp should have appropriate manufacturer-intended tie-down points, and the AnchorStake must be installed in suitable soil in a location that does not interfere with animals, people, equipment or the building's operation.

Can AnchorStake anchor a barn or animal shelter?

No. This article discusses temporary tarps and covers around farm and ranch buildings, not structural anchoring of the buildings themselves. Permanent and engineered structures should use the foundation and anchoring systems specified for those structures.

Should I cover barn ventilation openings with a tarp in cold weather?

Do not assume a colder season means ventilation should be eliminated. Horse facilities require fresh-air exchange to manage moisture and air quality, including during cold weather. Follow appropriate facility-management guidance for the animals and building involved.

Should a chicken coop be completely sealed for winter?

No. University of Minnesota Extension recommends controlling drafts while maintaining ventilation to help manage moisture and ammonia inside the coop.

Can stakes and guylines be placed inside an animal enclosure?

The safer approach is to keep temporary ground anchors, ropes and guylines outside animal-accessible areas whenever possible. The complete installation should be evaluated for entanglement, chewing, tripping and interference with normal animal movement.

Can I use the same tarp setup every fall?

Inspect the components before reusing them. Check the tarp, manufacturer-provided tie-down points, ropes or guylines, ground conditions and AnchorStakes before installation. Replace damaged components rather than assuming last year's setup is still suitable.

Prepare Temporary Farm Covers With the Whole Setup in Mind

A fall tarp project around a barn or animal shelter isn't just about getting material over an area and pulling it tight.

Start with a cover suited to the application. Use its intended tie-down points. Preserve the ventilation the animals need. Keep ropes and anchors away from animals and traffic. Inspect the soil and the installation, and continue checking it as fall weather changes.

For compatible outdoor applications where a reusable ground anchor is appropriate, AnchorStake offers an 11.5-inch, rust-free ABS option for securing ropes and guylines in suitable soil.

Shop AnchorStake 10-Pack Heavy Duty Ground Stakes Rust-Free Landscape Anchors at fliproducts.com.

About Kevin Cody

Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products

Kevin Cody is the Founder and CEO of FLI Products and a product development, merchandising and retail industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience. His background includes merchandising leadership at The Home Depot as well as developing, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing and bringing consumer products to market through major retailers and online marketplaces.

Kevin works directly with manufacturers, inventors, retailers and consumers to develop practical products that solve everyday problems. His experience spans product design and development, retail merchandising, manufacturing, e-commerce, marketplace strategy and consumer product education.

Through the FLI Products Learning Center, Kevin shares practical, experience-based information designed to help consumers better understand products, solve problems and make informed purchasing decisions.

Read Full Bio

Sources & Resources

FLI Products — AnchorStake Heavy-Duty Ground Anchors
Product source for current AnchorStake specifications, material, length, pack size and listed tarp/canopy applications.

Penn State Extension — Horse Stable Ventilation
Educational reference for maintaining fresh-air exchange, controlling moisture and managing air quality in horse facilities during changing seasons.

University of Minnesota Extension — Caring for Chickens in Cold Weather
Educational reference for cold-weather poultry management, draft management, moisture control and continued coop ventilation.

University of Minnesota Extension — Ventilation Systems for Horse Barns
Additional reference on the importance of air exchange for moisture control, condensation prevention and barn air quality.

For more ground-anchoring resources, visit the AnchorStake Hub.