We are in the process of building the run on our second coop. We are completely covering the run with 1/2 inch hardware mesh. On our first coop and run, we did the same thing - but then covered the entire run with metal and tarps.
We are going to remove the tarps and cover the new run either Corrugated metal, Clear Polycarbonate Roof Panel, or just leave the mesh uncovered. We are debating on what is best for us AND our flock. We are going to cover the area over the pop door with metal for shade (about 16 ft by 8ft). And they have a 16ft x 8ft in the other connected run of the same. The combined run footprint will be about 600 sq foot for 34 birds. What should we cover the rest with?
We are going to remove the tarps and cover the new run either Corrugated metal, Clear Polycarbonate Roof Panel, or just leave the mesh uncovered. We are debating on what is best for us AND our flock. We are going to cover the area over the pop door with metal for shade (about 16 ft by 8ft). And they have a 16ft x 8ft in the other connected run of the same. The combined run footprint will be about 600 sq foot for 34 birds. What should we cover the rest with?
- Clear Poly
- Pros of covering with clear poly:
- Let sun in, but block UV
- keep rain out so no puddles (lower coccidiosis chances)
- leaves won't gather, but will blow off.
- Can put plants in the run
- Cons of covering in clear poly:
- will have to manually water any plants
- will have to clean anything that rain cannot clean
- If the leaves don't blow off, they will be visible through and look unsightly - and harder to blow off if you cannot walk on the poly.
- Pros of covering with clear poly:
- Corrugated metal:
- Pros
- Completely shade the run to keep it cooler
- keep rain out so no puddles (lower coccidiosis chances)
- leaves won't gather, but will blow off into the woods
- Fallen leaves are not visible on roof
- Cons:
- cannot plant most plants inside the run (not enough light)
- will have to clean anything that rain cannot clean
- Pros
- Leave the mesh uncovered
- Pros
- Lets sunlight in
- can plant inside the run
- lets rain in to clean and water plants
- Cons
- Unshaded parts with no UV protection
- Leaves may gather on the mesh and need to be blown off
- increased coccidiosis risk from puddles
- Pros
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