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.

 

[thecatumbrella]

How do you attach the polycarbonate sides?

I drill a few small holes and attach with zip ties. The panels overlap each other, so it’s super snug. Obviously you wouldn’t want to use this method on a roof!

 

[Debbie292d]

I am not trying to talk you out of anything, but as far as using tarps, the more you spend, the longer they last, unless it's free. That said, our neighbor gave us her greenhouse tarp from a kit she bought as she only wanted the frame. Weird, I know. Anyway, we put it in our growout pen about five years ago, and it's still as good as new.

On the metal aviary, we have a tarp facing the forest so the parrots are calmer. That tarp has lasted about 10 years. This year, we used it as a growout pen, so we put up another tarp to cover the majority of it. Those we custom order.

We are in Wisconsin and through blizzards and sub-zero temps in the winter, constant high winds, and a couple of weeks of scorching heat in the summer, these do the job. Having UV protection is a must.





We've bought ours from two places: HydraBarrier and Custom Covers. The latter place lets us custom-order the exact size.

 

[Three Stents]

I have a metal corrugated roof. I will paint the roof top with white elastomeric paint to reflect the heat.

 

[Ccort]

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.)

Thanks! You've been a big help!