chicken Run with no roof?

[schellie69]

I have wire over my run and we use a tarp over part of the run to help keep the rain off that area and in the winter my DS will put up some ply-wood on the north side of the pen to help keep the wind from blowing in it seems to work there pen where the tarp and board was stayed dry for the most part and their food stayed dry we got one of those heated water bowls for the water and they did okay this last winter. we are building a better coop (larger) so they will have the option of staying inside during bad weather by using the wire and the tarp they can get sunshine and shade and are protected somewhat from the weather but also predators can't get in that was my biggest worry hopefully you can find the answer for you.

 

[stampntam]

I don't want the whole run covered with a roof just a small portion close to the house (why doesn't the hubby understand!) . to give them shade and to protect their food from rain. I didn't think of a tarp. How would that hold up in snow?

 

[gibsonbuzz]

I had some pig fencing laying around and put it on top of the run to make it ridged. Then put welded wire on top of it. The pig fencing makes it so I can actually get on top with no problem. I'll just leave tarp on in winter with no problems.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

Ha! Your husband sounds just like mine. We're new to chickens and I've spent a lot of time on here reading and researching. Plus books. Whenever I tell him something, he disagrees. Not sure where all his chicken knowledge came from but he's determined he's right! We have chicken wire for our run walls and I keep telling him it's not enough but he won't listen.

We have netting too but I'd love some kind of roof. Like the idea someone mentioned about a little covered area. I can probably do that myself. Love your run!

 

[schellie69]

Quote:
That is what we used here last winter and it held up fine kept the area mostly dry some blew in but DS put up a board to protect the north side the other sides are protected by privacy fence and the house. Ours did fine with it. Maybe you could make something simple and put up your self. if DH won't put up the roof try the tarp if it does not work then maybe he will be willing to build a roof for you hope you get it figured out.

 

[MotherJean]

Two possible reasons why your DH is opposed to roofing the run would be the expense and the need to do add more roof joists and cross bracing (more expense) to support the weight of a roof. Right now, it looks like the joists are about 4' on center and (what?) 8' long from peak to side wall. I'm not an expert, but I'd say that sort of structure would probably collapse under a snow load even if you just put a tarp up there. If you do decide to tarp it, I hope you'll consider adding a bit more support up there, just in case. The folks who are suggesting a small shelter be constructed inside the pen to house the food and give the girls a little foul weather shelter seems to be the most workable. If you attached it to the front of the coop, it would almost be like a front porch.

 

[laughaha]

Feed them in the chicken house and it won't get wet. They are perfectly capable of going inside to eat. I always keep the food inside the coop and the water is a small kiddie pool in the pen and no water in the house (so the coop doesnt get soaked). During winter whenever it snows I will make a path out of hay for them to get from the coop to their water without having to walk on snow. I think your existing coop and run is really nice. Not really sure why you want to change it...

 

[crookedcreekranch]

Just a suggestion regarding the tarp. I had a totally enclosed run (hardware cloth everywhere, including on top) and had no problems for a whole year. This spring I decided to cover the top with a tarp which went over the entire top and halfway down the sides. Something that could not climb up the hardware cloth climbed up the tarp and got on top of my run. The board supporting the hardware cloth collapsed and the top caved in. I got home from work and went to check on my girls and almost had a heart attack. Fortunately, whatever it was must have jumped clear as the run collapsed. My girls were safe and sound and on their roosting pole acting like nothing had happened. I plan to replace the tarp, but I will be very careful about the placement.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Quote:
Just tell your hubby that without a shade roof you will end up with fried chicken that still has it's feathers.

Seems to me that some shade is just as important as keeping out the rain, although my experience comes from raising chickens in really hot weather.

 

[FlyingFChick]

I do the same thing. I always keep the food food in the coop. They have a waterer in both the coop and run. They are perfectly happy to go to the coop if they want to eat. That way you don't have to worry about the weather and the food getting wet.

You have a beautiful set up!!

Good luck educating your hubby! I had a real tough time too! BYW, my isn't roofed either. Just wire to keep the hawks out!