Need a new, improved run. Pics please!

[Ccort]

Rain and snow in the run should not be a problem. The run floor should be like a forest floor and break down all the poop and other organic matter into the ground. If you have mold in the run, the bedding/litter you are using is likely not appropriate.

See my coop article for a budget run that does not have a foundation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-stinky-acres-farm-chicken-barn.7976

I do love the curl!

Zero issues. Its well braced to hold any snow load and sloped enough that anything liquid runs down the proper way . It also makes a pretty curl at the end when things start melting

 

[Ccort]

A heavy wooden run is great but far from budget friendly.

From my estimates, I spend as much on buying new tarps as I will the lumber.

 

[Ccort]

Solid metal will reflect some heat versus clear polycarbonate, which lets the heat in.

For my run, I have the polycarbonate panels on the sides just for winter to prevent drafts and add warmth.

If you're not able to use the ground anchors, I would make the long sides as heavy as possible. I got the garden box idea from someone on Twitch (Arbor Garden), and I don't believe she has any posts in the ground. Her run has a slant roof as well.

How do you attach the polycarbonate sides?

 

[StinkyAcres]

From my estimates, I spend as much on buying new tarps as I will the lumber.

Well, yes, anything permanent is worth it compared to tarps!

 

[SourRoses]

How do you attach the polycarbonate sides?

When we got polycarbonate panels from the hardware store, the same aisle had a section with fasteners specifically for them (including some underneath support thingies for the waves, and peak bridge thingies for A frame roofs). We got the screws which have a rubber foam backing right behind the head, so when you drill through the polycarbonate and into the wood frame behind it, then the foam on the screw creates a seal against moisture as it's tightened.

- you can tell I have little technical knowledge, but we got it to work!
(then had to tear that coop down when we moved, now I have polycarbonate laying around that I haven't figured out how to reuse with screw holes in different places than the current need. Ugh.)

 

[hammyanne]

I live on rocky soil so digging was a no-go for me. I ended up having some #2 crushed stone trucked in and built up a layer of about 6", then buried concrete blocks (about 2" into the crushed stone) around the perimeter of the coop/run footprint.

While the rock wasn't wildly expensive, it was a lot of effort to move it from my driveway to my desired location. I also have a slant roof and haven't experienced issues, but it has a healthy overhang all around.