Covered part of my run with a tarp

[bobbieschicks]

I'm not sure I want to put a cover over the whole run or even permanently cover it. So I'm experimenting - I hung a tarp with zip ties today over part of the run that faces north and west. We're about to get 3 days of rain - so we'll see if it keeps it drier and better - or if it just makes it more humid in there. I haven't any idea how it will hold up over the winter - hoping it does. I'd like to give the chicks a place to roam where they don't have to get wet all the time. They hang out in the run even in the rain and especially if it's raining they are stuck in there. I freerange them only if I can be outside to watch where they wander.

If it works I may consider covering the whole run next year when I expand the run. I'd build an actual roof for the run that would go over the wired roof I have right now. Probably use those clear panels or metal panels from Home Depot and have to build a taller framework to put it all under.

Here's what it looks like - any thoughts on whether this will hold up until spring? I'm a little concerned about it collapsing if we get any large amounts of snow - something that is unusual for us, or ice - something that is a more likely occurrence.

Here it is before the tarp - I used deck hangers/joists to hold the 2x4s in place and it's covered in a variety of wires - 2x4 welded and 1/2" hardware cloth.

 

[ailurophile23]

I have been using tarps to provide shade and to help keep the run dry. They last a while but will eventually get holes and tears - not sure if yours will last until spring but it might. I have had some issues with the tarps collecting rain but making sure the tarp has some slope to it solves that. I recently installed some "rafters" made out of emt (metal conduit - you could also use PVC pipe) that arch over the run and then put a heavy duty tarp over that - this tarp seems to be wearing better than the ones that I have zip-tied onto the run - it doesn't flap in the wind as much either.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
That sounds like a good solution - if this doesn't work out - I might consider that instead. I'm not sure I want to make a permanent roof - I don't want us getting taxed over a "shed" in our yard - so far no part of my coop was built with concrete footings - I just used concrete blocks with poured concrete in the blocks for my 4x4s and the posts are 2' in the soil.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yeah my DH is on board with helping cover the chicken coop with a tarp - he has an idea of how to cover the rest of the coop. He also volunteered to get straw for me to put out there in the nest boxes & around to stop drafts in the run. HAHA! He'll turn into a chicken lover yet. He already asks about them all the time and was worried when our Snow White didn't lay for a few days. He was very happy when I told him she laid an egg today. Hope he's still on board next spring when I enlarge the coop/run and get more chicks

 

[swatchick]

I found that when I pulled the tarp down onto the sides of the run, a good deal of water made its way into the run as it poured straight down the sides. Then I got the idea to slope the top of the run (I used an old 4-6 beam across one side of the roof and set an old kennel panel on that to make the slope) and then extend the tarp to it's full size and attach it to freestanding posts (I actually use trees and fence posts because they happen to be located in just the right places, but you could probably use t-posts or stakes of some kind as well). That way the runoff falls to the ground well away from the run itself and it keeps everything much dryer. Because the tarp is well stretched, it also doesn't flap around in the wind as much (I did take them down before our most recent massive wind storm, however, as it seemed unlikely they would survive...thus the lack of pictures).

 

[yellowjacket]

Hey bobbieschicks,

Why didn't you put your tarp post in the tarp thread you already started?

There's already way too many threads here to scroll through.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
Sorry I forgot I started a thread.