Is a roof for the run a necessity?

[capebird]

In the process of building a coop and a run. the coop is 4' x 5 ' about 5 feet high for
4 barred rocks. I'm also building a run that is 8 x 12 feet and about 6 -7 feet high.
My question is .... are there benefits to covering the run with a roof (like plywood and
shingles..... as opposed to just closing it in with wire cloth). thanks for the help.

 

[farmer_lew]

I wouldn't cover the entire run with plywood. They need sunshine, too. If you want to cover a portion of the run with plywood for shade, rain protection, etc, I'm sure they would appreciate it.

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
+1

My coop and run-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=44847-my-coop

I have 1/3 covered and the rest in hardware cloth.

 

[capebird]

thanks for the follow ups.

I intend to let the girls out of the run on occasion... so they'd
get sunshine and open space. But just wondering
if there's any downside to not putting a plywood roof over the run
or a portion of the run?? Just putting the hardware wire cloth.

Thanks

 

[purelypoultry]

Quote:
One downside to not putting a roof on a portion of the run would be for them to not be able to find shelter or shade.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

We are in FL and use shade cloth and flight netting over the tops of our runs. They can go back in the coop if they need/want at anytime during the day.

 

[patandchickens]

Roofing your run DOES NOT prevent them from getting sun! Sun comes in at an angle. Believe me, they will still get sun -- in fact if you are in a hot climate you may still want to put shadecloth or something like that on the S and/or W sides.

It is a really great luxury and makes managment much easier (and in many climates, makes the chickens' lives more pleasant) to have a run.

That said, you absolutely do not "need" a roof on your run -- in fact relatively few people have them. They tend to be a bit expensive to build, especially if you are in an area with hurricane winds or significant snowload; so a lot of people just skip them, and have either a wire top, a mesh top, or no top at all ont he run.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[ams4776]

Im leaving mine open with just the wire top for my summer and will be putting plywood up for the winter to keep out the snow and they always can go the coop anytime

 

[loubapache]

I initially built my duck run without a roof and only used 2x4 welded wire on the top for predator protection. The snow/rain/sleet from this winter made the run almost non-usable. We just had and still having snow/freezing rain today and I certainly hope this is the last one for the season.

So a couple weeks ago, I decided to add a roof to the 10" x 16' run. I was fortunate to have a warm weekend and I covered it with clear polycarbonate panels (bought from Menards). My run is the woods and the south side is the house so it is not very hot. Plus four feet of the vertical space right below the roof is open (covered with 2x4 welded wire). For this coming winter, I am going to cover this vertical space with clear polycarbonate panels as well. The bottom three feet is covered with wood panels.

I just took a picture and you can see the little snow we had today. This is April 19 and we are still having snow. The run is on the right of the picture. Attached is the 6' x 8' duck house (on the left).

After I put up the roof, we have had 3 or 4 rains and it made a huge difference inside the run.

 

[wingsofglory]

I wouldn't have a run without a roof anymore.

Nothing more depressing than mudpuddles and wet hay and muddy spots in a run.

I did, in two different places, and the rain made mud in one. The other had hard ground but it suddenly started smelling bad one day.

I put a load of gravel in there and the rain washed the gravel away. Couldn't figure out how 2" of gravel disappeared.

Rain on poo makes a terrible smell. Sprinkling lime did not work with chickens - they tried to eat it or would not walk on it. It didn't help the smell because the rain washed it away also.

In the winter, my chickens will not step foot in snow, so an uncovered run is not used at all.

My now covered run in new place works perfectly.