Input on Building a Roofed Chicken Run

How many of you folks have a run with a roof on it? I was initially thinking of just putting wire mesh to protect the hens from Hawks and such, but after doing some reading, it might be more beneficial to add plywood and metal corrugated roofing. Have any of you done this? It will supposedly yield less smell from wet waste, less mud, etc. Is it worth the added cost?

Yes, yes, and YES! I've come through my first year raising chickens and I can absolutely say the best thing I spent money on was the covered run. I originally built the run with only wire but decided to put a proper plywood and metal panel roof on it in November. It was the best idea and saved me so much trouble during the winter. New England got record amounts of snow but my hens were snug in their tarp-enclosed and roofed run. They'd have had no space and nothing to scratch around in all winter long without that run and I'd have gone crazy trying to shovel them out. The roof keeps the litter dry (although with deep litter I do want a little moisture in there for good composting action) and the girls can still go outside even when it's raining. I have left one of the tarps on the side of the direction that most of our rain comes from and I raise and lower it if a big spring rain is expected. I'm looking forward to the roof giving them some nice shade come summer time too. Last year I had to spread a tarp over the top so they didn't bake in the sun. Even if you can't cover your entire run, cover as much as you can--at least an area by the coop. I can pretty much guarantee you won't regret it.

Our run is covered. It's a metal roof.

Welcome! I live in Michigan, and don't have a covered run. It's miserable all winter and early spring, and up at the top of my project list to fix. Cover it! Mary

Half of my run has corrugated clear panel roof on it for shelter. So they can still go out when it's raining and enjoy the sun on beautiful day. Feed us under that sheltered part.

My run is covered with clear corrugated plastic panels. Bless the roof! It saved so much work in properly managingthe deep litter, so it won't get wet and smells or get muddy. The covered run also give my chickens protected outdoor activity space through any weather.

Thanks for all the input! For those with corrugated metal/plastic roofs, did you have to place plywood underneath to provide reinforcement during the winter snow? The run I'm building will be 12 feet wide, so I'm thinking I'll need plywood underneath and support beams half way (at 6 feet).

Support Aframe every 16" is what I did and gave it a 10/12 pitch to let the snow roll off.

I still have my (getting big) chicks in the brooder at night but am refurbishing my barn as a coop and probably starting with a dog kennel as the permanent outdoor run. I'm really trying to do this on a budget in New England. I have some spare plywood that I'm planning to use as a roof to cover at least half of the run. Is there something inexpensive that I can use initially to waterproof the plywood so that I can avoid the cost of the metal rood for the first year or so? Hubby is beginning to wonder how I can possibly be spending so much on three little chicks that aren't even expected to lay many eggs (Silkies)! I don't want the chickens to be stuck in the coop during the winter but am trying to stretch my start-up budget. Any suggestions? Thanks!