Chicken run roof

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes, your little dinosaurs are smart enough to get out of the rain, **if** it matters to them. Mine play in the rain all the time, by choice.

I'm fond of metal roofing, because it lasts longer and is lower maintenance overall - so twice the price (sure) but you only have to be hanging off your rafters and purlins once every other decade. I have an unhealthy fear of heights. Polycarbonate panels aren't so resilient (but are good for light - not a concern if you are only covering half the roof with solid panels, and you don't have solid walls).

That said, as you look at your roof halves, consider your prevailing winds - you don't want the underside of the roof you cover facing into your winds. Much better to have prevailing winds pushing into the top face of the roof, which will also assist in driving rain conditions to ensure a maximum of floor space stays dry.

 

[3KillerBs]

My thinking is that way my chickens would have the best of both worlds while in the run. However, are chickens "smart enough to get out of the rain" ?

Chickens know how to be chickens better than we know how to be chickens.

With some exceptions for the ornamental breeds whose feathers have been altered to the point of no longer functioning as feathers ought to, a chicken that is old enough for it's mother to have naturally weaned it should be fully capable of deciding just how wet it does or doesn't feel like being at any given moment when given access to shelter or exposure.

 

[LBLYTHE]

Thanks. The walls of my run are 2x4 welded wire (simply because I purchased the run & coop from a neighbor & that’s what he used to construct it). I’m wondering if 2x3 welded wire would be okay for the top of the run. Trying to cut the cost down but I certainly want my girls to be safe from predators. I know there are hawks, fox, raccoons in our area. The hens will be licked in their coop at night & out in the run during the day.

 

[Sally PB]

The frame of my run was the frame for an unused greenhouse my neighbor gave me. I covered the roof with chicken wire, and then heavy duty tarps. I don't have nearly the span you do; it's about 8.5 feet wide. So far, neither rain nor wind has been a problem. It's low enough that I can sweep off any serious snow accumulation.

The tarps are silver/black. I had the silver side up to reflect the sun in the summer. Now I have the black side up so that the silver side can reflect more light down below.

 

[aart]

I live in southeast VA

So no snow?
How predator proof does it need to be?
Mine is 2x4 welded wire, but I'm home and in sight/sound of run 95% of the time.

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