How to cover the kennel run?

[TheNewMrsEvans]

So I have a 6' tall set of kennel panels which make up my run. They are attached to the chicken shed on one end. I need to build a roof over part of it so they will go outside even when it's precipitating...otherwise they spend all day in the coop while it's snowy or even if it's too sunny. Too much doo indoors! Obviously the tarp is fine for shade in fair weather, but not for winter... I'm afraid though that they might fly onto the roof and get out if it's too low... any ideas?

 

[Kansaseq]

I covered mine with hardware cloth, and used metal poles to help support it. I ran the poles through the chain link, up near the top, from one end to the other. My runs are in deep shade, so blocking out the sun was not desirable or necessary.

Ps I love your coop--very rustic!

 

[TigerLilly]

I use my old kennels, too. For now they have a make-shift roof using galvanized panels. I don't have a problem with predators (thank the good Lord), but I'm still going to prepare the kennel as if I did by running chicken wire across the top, under the galvanized panels. My kennel is 12' x 7' & I don't actually have a 'coop' for them to lay/roost in, but I am modifying the kennel on the inside with plywood.

 

[MJCooper42]

Me thinks i'm going this route too

 

[bburn]

This might not be what you want but go to my BYC page and look at the dog pen aka chicken run I have posted there. We used welded wire to string across. My DH first put in a support across the middle so that it would be tall enough to walk in (he is 6'3"). We used double chicken wire on the ends to fill in. I went out later with zip ties and fastened everything together after seeing a hawk fly off the top of the run. We had not secured the runs of wire together...just on the ends at the edge of the pen. Now I feel like a hawk, racoon or skunk...even if they managed to get on top will no longer be able to find their way in. I knew they could get in but they would have really had a hard time getting back out.

So I decided to put on the zip ties and feel much better for it!

Maybe that will work for you...

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I have 2 kennel runs that are completely wrapped in hardware cloth. Here are a couple of "during construction" pics of my bachelor pad run. It is now finished including the coop and I put a tarp over part of the run that is not under the shelter leaving a section open to the clear blue sky. Maybe you can get some ideas from this.

 

[bburn]

I love the hardware cloth....however, I think it is kind of pricey. Everything done on our coop and run was done with found items. The barn fell down (not ours) and we got the metal. The dog run was already there and had not been used in years. The wire we used on the top was wire my DH had here already. I did buy the zip ties when I was making the tractor. Had to buy the pvc and the hardware cloth and the zip ties!

But that is perfect. The framing you did holds the hardware cloth perfectly. Going to start smuggling home hardware cloth a roll at a time. I liked working with it too.....except for all the scratches on my arms. Last roll is laid out in the front yard smashed flat for tomorrow when I finish the tractor!

 

[imtc]

I have the same type of set up and we used the same fencing posts to frame a peaked roof then covered with curragated roofing panels.
frame before roofing:

finished roof

 

[TigerLilly]

Marty, that is an awesome looking coop!
imtc, mine looks more like yours but with a slanted roof; still a work in progress.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Wow Chook-A-Holic that looks like a very secure run!