Covering the run...

[DVTO2]

So my coop and run are almost finished. I am putting welded wire fence on the gabled roof of he run, which is 5 x 16 for 7 GC pullets. I was trying to decide if I should also put a tarp over the wire on part of the run or maybe even all of it. Any thoughts? Is there an advantage to leaving the birds some run with no tarp cover?

 

[PunkinPeep]

I've noticed my birds do enjoy basking in the sun sometimes, especially in the spring time. I think it's nice for them to have a shady area and a potentially sunny area.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I agree. It's nice to give them choices depending on what the weather permits.

 

[keeko]

I was going to put a sloping roof (just out of that corrugated plastic roofing material, cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot), but by the time we finished the run, I was exhausted! We put up a large tarp covering just half of the run, and it looks like it might be the permanent-ish solution. So far we've had a good bit of rain, and most of it runs off (we have the run covered with hardware cloth of course). The water does pool a little, but I'm not worried. I've seen some runs on BYC that have tarps as roofing.

Some sort of roofing is crucial for the run. I keep some of their food and water out in the run since our coop is so small, so I like to have the protection of the roof to keep all that stuff dry and fresh. I also look forward to a winter snow where the girls can still go outside and stretch their wings. The tend to stick to the dry shaded sand after a rain. So in conclusion - some sort of cover is necessary!

 

[DVTO2]

I went with a sloped welded wire roof with a tarp over it. The pullets get some sun at different parts of the day but can be out in the sun when it's hottest and be protectged from rain; also I can leave the food out. The 6' by 16' tarp was about $20 with shipping and I ma hoping it will take some sun. I am also hoping the tarp wire/roof will hold up in the snow.