Chicken wire for run cover.. to support or not to support?

[jenjan8998]

I have a fenced area that measures 12'x21'. The fence is only 4' high, and my coop stands at about 7'. So if I added a cover, there would be the coop it had to go over. Plus a small tree that I would have to cut the wire to go around. It is close to one side of the fenced area, so I figured I would cut a slit from the side and just staple the wire to the tree and tie it closed back onto the fence.

So my question is this.. if I pulled the chicken wire tight, would it still slope in the middle of the pen with no support?
I dont mind bending over to clean the run. I could stand by the coop to clean it out, so no big deal there.
I just want yalls opinion on whether or not you thought that in the middle of the run, the wire would cave in.
Is there a better option to use other than wire? I live in GA so not much snow, but we do get ice at least once a year.

If I should support it, what would be the cheapest best way to do that?

I was also going to cover the half that has the coop with a tarp so the girls can still come out when its raining.

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

 

[slkyldy4evr]

I have a fenced area that measures 12'x21'. The fence is only 4' high, and my coop stands at about 7'. So if I added a cover, there would be the coop it had to go over. Plus a small tree that I would have to cut the wire to go around. It is close to one side of the fenced area, so I figured I would cut a slit from the side and just staple the wire to the tree and tie it closed back onto the fence. 

So my question is this.. if I pulled the chicken wire tight, would it still slope in the middle of the pen with no support? 
I dont mind bending over to clean the run. I could stand by the coop to clean it out, so no big deal there. 
I just want yalls opinion on whether or not you thought that in the middle of the run, the wire would cave in. 
Is there a better option to use other than wire? I live in GA so not much snow, but we do get ice at least once a year. 

If I should support it, what would be the cheapest best way to do that? 

I was also going to cover the half that has the coop with a tarp so the girls can still come out when its
raining. 

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

It would most likely cave.
I have a 24x32' wire-covered run and we had to put support up to keep the wire from caving. My girls still go out when it's pouring and they do just fine. I don't think it would be a good idea unless you have support for the wire other than the outside fencing.
Hope this helps!

 

[jenjan8998]

What did you use as a support? The fence is just a regular chain link fence.

 

[slkyldy4evr]

What did you use as a support? The fence is just a regular chain link fence.

It really depends, but because that is a larger area, you should use something to support it, and 2x4s work great, but we had to have a beam in the middle to hold it up.

 

[jenjan8998]

Ok, thanks! I was hoping not to have to bring in some beams, but it would probably be the for the best.

 

[slkyldy4evr]

Here's mine, but you wouldn't have to put as many beams since yours is a little smaller.
Ours was built by a friend, but it shouldn't be hard to put a few beams up.

 

[jenjan8998]

Those are lucky chickens! Thanks for the pictures! Definitely a great reference point!

 

[slkyldy4evr]

Those are lucky chickens! Thanks for the pictures! Definitely a great reference point!

They sure are! Good luck!

 

[aart]

Do you have to worry about snow load where you live?
And remember chicken wire is not predator proof....good for hawks, but even they could rip it apart if really hungry.

 

[slkyldy4evr]

Do you have to worry about snow load where you live?
And remember chicken wire is not predator proof....good for hawks, but even they could rip it apart if really hungry.

I agree with aart, I use 1x2" predator wire, it's still a little wide but it's very strong. Hard wear cloth might work as well.