Covering 20x30 dog kennel run

[CylonCJ]

Hi there! We inherited a 20x30 dog kennel chicken run and I just put a new coop in it and now want to cover it but I want to have it be predator proof. My main concern is raccoons! I have some corrugated metal sheeting I want to put over the coop in the run to keep it out of the elements but I’m having trouble figuring out how to cover the entire run and have it be predator proof. I want to use some kind of hardware cloth (I added a 1/2 inch skirt to the bottom of the run) but the run is so wide it would sag. I’ve seen people use pvc to arch over the top but again it’s so wide this seems unlikely I can do this. Am I going to have to use wood and dig in support beams to really make a stable roof? Any help or ideas are appreciated! I added a couple pictures of the space.

 

[CylonCJ]

It’s all up and it seems like it’s going to work really well! I’ve got a few more areas to strap to the top part of the fence but I’m just glad it’s up!

 

[raingarden]

Am I going to have to use wood and dig in support beams to really make a stable roof?

Yes. To do it in a single span would be much more expensive, Put support posts on eight to ten foot spacing (you won't need many), then headers, then some sort of trusses or rafters, then the roofing wire or sheathing. It would be much easier and cheaper to use heavy knotted netting and tarp, but that wouldn't be coon-proof without a good electric fence at the bottom.

 

[CylonCJ]

Yes. To do it in a single span would be much more expensive, Put support posts on eight to ten foot spacing (you won't need many), then headers, then some sort of trusses or rafters, then the roofing wire or sheathing. It would be much easier and cheaper to use heavy knotted netting and tarp, but that wouldn't be coon-proof without a good electric fence at the bottom.

That’s what I was thinking. This project intimidates me! I’m handy but haven’t tackled something like this. However, I don’t want to put my chickens out there and have them picked off by raccoons on day one! We have quite a few in the area and I know their coop is predator proof but I’ve seen the raccoons out during the day. Looks like I have some DIY research to do!

 

[CylonCJ]

Maybe I should make a smaller predator proof run within the large kennel run. I can then put aviary netting from the dog kennel to the top of the predator proof run and they can go out and have access to the whole thing while I’m down there with them which is quite often during the day. This sounds like it would be way more manageable for me! Any thoughts on this?

 

[mowin]

Nice job. Let us know how it holds up during the winter months and snow load.

 

[CylonCJ]

Just worked on winterizing a section of the large run! We had some early snow and I realized I needed a good covered area. Luckily the snow melted and I had a second chance at making it right! I covered a 6x10 area off the coop and then to keep cost down just put a cattle panel hoop house for another 10 ft section. The pictures don’t show but I did put plastic around it all and hopefully it does the trick! Hope this helps someone else with a large run! It didn’t cost much and I think it’ll be worth it. I built it myself sooo pretty much anyone can do it! We’ve had some wild wind and it’s done very well. We’ll see how it all holds up to snow!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. That is a large area to cover without some sort of frame. You could maybe have some sort of truss made, kind of like we have for our horse shelters. I'll get some pictures of it in the morning.

 

[mowin]

Here's a quick sketch.

 

[MommyGirl]

I’m using dog kennels to and my top is chain link and half metal roof and we used top rail fencing and clamps for cross bracing and support legs hope these pictures help!