Chicken Run Roof (Run not the coop.._

[tashaner]

Since I'm about done with the new coop, I need to get the run done. It will be 6' wide and 12 feet long. The original idea was to have it 6' high in the front and 5' in the back to allow for a sloped metal roof; to provide shade and some weather protection. Perhaps only the first 6 feet covered, leaving the last section open to the sun.

I've been having some thoughts regarding the roof, and am wondering about using shade cloth instead of a solid roof. It would be cheaper and would still provide good shade. No rain protection though, and while the coop is plenty big, I'd like the girls to be outside as much as possible.

Any thoughts, pros & cons, of using a 'solid' roof vs shade cloth?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you are on flat ground or at the bottom of a hill, you want to shed as much water as possible. A roof will still keep part of their space dry.
Remember that they need a place to dust bathe.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The other thing is location.
If you get snow you will want a solid roof.

I get snow and have wire over my run. That means a lot of shoveling so they can use the run in winter.

Shade cloth gets destroyed by snow load. I have to make sure mine is removed before any snow happens.

Oh and I would go 7' in the front and 6' in the back.

Just ask my hubby how much it hurts to knock your head in the run.......

 

[aart]

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1423126

I'm co-organizer of a large chicken meetup group.
About the only requirement for joining is to include one's zip code. Since most of the people are in a 100 mile radius, we have the same climate but it makes planning meetups easier.
When answering questions here, knowing one's location would be so helpful. Climate is critical with chickens but also giving advice on food only to find several posts later that the person lives where there are no feed stores or manufactured feed available.

 

[aart]

knowing one's location would be so helpful

I wish it was a requirement here too.

 

[cholland]

Unless you live in an arid climate where it doesn't rain/snow much, I would go with a solid roof.

 

[Shezadandy]

I would do a solid roof too- and as others have mentioned- make sure every member of your family can stand up in the run. When it comes time to clean - and it will - not having to hunch over is a huge plus.

Also - if you do decide to only do a solid roof for part/all of it- I would ensure that the area near the pop door is under it. If you live somewhere very wet- keeping your ramp and the pop door area relatively dry will help keep chicken feet dry which will in turn make for cleaner eggs in the wet season.

Even if you're in a dry climate- the permanent shade afforded by a solid roof can make all the difference when it comes down to keeping the chickens cool. Having extra shade by the pop door can also help the coop stay cooler.

I would use shade cloth (like Coolaroo (or whatever)) on the FENCE - i.e. the south and west sides of the run, not over the top -- so when the solid roof isn't providing any shade because of the angle of the sun in late afternoon- the shade cloth still provides relief. I would leave the first 2 feet up from the ground open for maximum air flow at chicken level.

Money and labor spent now is easier than working in a hurry to make up for a deficiency!

Also - depending on predators in your area- you may want to look at electrifying the area around your solid roof.

And while I know this isn't the topic - use hardware cloth EVERYWHERE on your run fence- never chicken wire-- that won't do anything but keep the chickens in. Dogs, raccoons, cats, hawks - defeat it easily. Hardware cloth is the gold standard. This article shows the fence a hawk reached through and killed a bird.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/coop-security-hardware-cloth-vs-chicken/

The shade cloth wouldn't be a substitute for hardware cloth, of course.

If you're going to have hens with baby chicks- or baby chicks- do hardware cloth top to bottom. Chicks can slip through the smallest openings. And even if all they have to do is slip back in the same way they came- they almost never do. Then you have the distress calls to mom that attract anything looking for a meal...

Also - remember chicks can fly. That's the reason I say hardware cloth top to bottom (check Amazon for the best prices- much better than local stores, farm or otherwise) is chicks will fly up to perch on little spots- like say the hole area of a chain link fence. Then they jump through and we're back to a panicked chick.

Even if you're fencing with something like chain link or no-climb horse fence- and will be keeping only adults - remember - the chickens can STILL stick their heads through the openings to get whatever is "greener" on the other side- which makes them vulnerable to animals who can reach through those same holes, or just flat grab them by the head/neck. Have hardware cloth high enough up that none of your birds can stick body parts out- I would go 3 feet up and if you can, 1 foot down into the ground with it.

 

[tashaner]

I'll update my profile; I'm in Rose Hill, KS. Pretty much decided on a solid roof, perhaps with shade cloth above that to keep the metal cooler..

 

[21hens-incharge]

With open sides (wire) and the roof up high you wont need to put shade cloth above it.

Money better spent would be on a couple trees that can grow and provide shade.