Cheap way to cover our run for the winter that can manage snow load?

[TDM]

 

[CandiceN]

I love the straw bales/plywood idea. Thanks for all the replies!!

 

[Life is Good!]

Here in northern Illinois, we might get a heavy snowstorm of 8" or more...but usually, our snow load isn't all at once (unless a blizzard swipes us like last year's Groundhog's Day).

I've got a peaked PVC roof on our tractor which is connected to the coop. I'm going to replace the tarp top with plastic panels from Menards - 12 feet long by 26 inches wide - I'll need 4 panels at $20 per panel - $80, not super cheap....but more durable for my situation. With your flat surface, a piece of plywood or even plexiglass would work well!

Have you thought about adding some 'skylights' of sorts - think cold-frames from the garden, but for the chickens to get some sunlight? I'm afraid the plywood would be so dark in there, the girls wouldn't want to go inside it. But if you have some cold-frames or even some old window sashes about...add those to make it 'brighter' inside too.

This is our tractor, now connected to the coop - inside a fully enclosed predator-safe run. (not pictured)


And yes, I too will be placing straw bales around the perimeter of my coop to help insulate it a bit more from low surface winds - but I'm going to wait until after the third week of freezes - by then, all the mice and local skunks/vermin should have found a good home (or will be dead). I'm not going to put it out too soon...not wanting to invite trouble!

Just some thoughts...

 

[Spookwriter]

Looking at the picture, it doesn't looklike 2x4's to me.
2x2's?

Not sure it would have enough stregenth for the plywood
and snow weight.

Smalling building appears to be setting on blocks. Any chance
raising the building to allow a small run underneath? Trying to
guess the size of your run here. Four foot wide, eight foot long?
Even if you cover the top I would guess blowing snow to pretty
much cover the area.

Another thought would be to think about coming off of the side of
the little red building. Run eight foot, use ten foot boards. Whatever
legenth you need to pass the run with. Then a very short new end wall
to catch the weight. Then plywood and shingle, or tarp. Even tarp to the
ground to stop blowing snow if you think. You wouldn't have much of a
pitch, but still better that a flat roof.

 

[CandiceN]

Quote:
You're right, they aren't 2x4s. I'm not sure what size they are honestly, my hubby bought the materials (except when I 'forced' him to get hardware cloth

) And the building is seriously heavy - it took hours to get it up as high as it is, so I don't see us being able to lift it higher, unfortunately.

I think we've decided to just disconnect it after all. We can't risk it falling apart on us and having to rebuild next Spring.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[pinkwindsong]

Life is Good! :

Here in northern Illinois, we might get a heavy snowstorm of 8" or more...but usually, our snow load isn't all at once (unless a blizzard swipes us like last year's Groundhog's Day).

I've got a peaked PVC roof on our tractor which is connected to the coop. I'm going to replace the tarp top with plastic panels from Menards - 12 feet long by 26 inches wide - I'll need 4 panels at $20 per panel - $80, not super cheap....but more durable for my situation. With your flat surface, a piece of plywood or even plexiglass would work well!

Have you thought about adding some 'skylights' of sorts - think cold-frames from the garden, but for the chickens to get some sunlight? I'm afraid the plywood would be so dark in there, the girls wouldn't want to go inside it. But if you have some cold-frames or even some old window sashes about...add those to make it 'brighter' inside too.

This is our tractor, now connected to the coop - inside a fully enclosed predator-safe run. (not pictured)
[URL]https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/86671_img_3099.jpg[/URL]

And yes, I too will be placing straw bales around the perimeter of my coop to help insulate it a bit more from low surface winds - but I'm going to wait until after the third week of freezes - by then, all the mice and local skunks/vermin should have found a good home (or will be dead). I'm not going to put it out too soon...not wanting to invite trouble!

Just some thoughts...

great thought and reminder.. I want to do the bales too.. great idea but yeah the first couple frost the vermin critters are gonna look for a warm new house for the winter I dont want that to be in my bales..
)O( blessed be​

 

[pinkwindsong]

Quote:
I wonder? dont know the cost.. ( we dont get but a single snowstorm a year if that) what if you made a winter run out of pvc that could handle the weight of the snow and then the bales around the outside and one in the middle to keep it from saging, then the board? that way the summer , pretty run wouldnt be damaged and your girls can still go outside.. just a idea looking at your pic.

)O(

 

[wava1vaughn]

Hi from Ga. You might try moving to the south we don't get snow very often.

 

[CandiceN]

Quote:
Oh, I've considered that, believe me. But I hate the heat even more than I hate the snow!

 

[BrownSheep]

Quote:
Ah the one upside to having more cats then one can count