Need Cover Idea For Large Run

[StoneBridge Farm]

Hey Ya'll,
My husband and I are just getting out of the goat business and into chickens! We decided to convert our 2 large goat pens into coops and "free-range" pens. The buildings were easy.. they were 3 sided so all we did was add doors and nesting boxes. So I have a few questions. I have seen several hawks and owls in our hollow so I DEFINATELY want a top. One pen is 30'X90' the other is 30'X120'. They already have goat fencing around them..I was going to add chicken wire. I thought about a PVC pipe type hoop for the top maybe. What is the cheapest but best I can put as a covering? Also one of the coops gets water running through it in heavy rain. I thought about adding a floor, but this one guy told me just to put pea gravel in it....any suggestions?
Like I said.. I am new to chickens ANY and ALL suggestions will be very appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Lori
PS: Any pics you could send would also be helpful!
[email protected]

 

[MonkeyZero]

I'd put some large tarps up. But below it, put up some wiring such as chicken wire. Then cover it up with tarp. And about the flooring, well, in the Chicken Bible, concrete is the most expensive, but best to manage.

Sindoora

 

[lexustami]

Where are you at in Ohio?

I'm in Belmont County.

Take care,

Tami

 

[StoneBridge Farm]

I am in Cutler. It is in Washington County...between Athens and Marietta.

 

[unionwirewoman]

Do you live in an area where you get alot of wind ? If so , tarps will not work too well since they would be torn to shreds in 6-12 months . Where I live we get alot of wind and sometimes have trouble just keeping the hay dry . Why not use the same fencing material for the top that is used for the side ? If it's what I'm thinking of , it should'nt be too expensive to use . It's better to do it right the first time than to take a chance and lose your animals . As for the water , pea gravel would probably be ok , or sand .

 

[StoneBridge Farm]

I literally live in a hollow. When I do get wind.. it's direct since I am surrounded by hills. I saw this bird netting from home depot... but it comes in very small rolls! I saw some other mesh type stuff... in murray mcmurray...it was kinda expensive. I am still not sure about the PVC or just plain ol wood. The span is 30'...That's what im worried about!
Lori

 

[unionwirewoman]

I know what you're talking about , I almost bought the same stuff from Lowes . I actually haven't had any problems with predators around here (although there are enough of them ). We have a ton of bald eagles , hawks , falcons , ospreys , you name it . So I don't have anything on top of my run . The thing I was concerened about was that the plasic mesh wouldn't hold up to the wind . I'd still go with chicken wire or what you have on the sides . I forgot to ask ....In the goat pens ...did you bury wire underneath ? If not , I would . I have seen alot of signs of digging around my coup . Skunks , badgers , dogs etc .

 

[StoneBridge Farm]

Not yet....They are happily in the coop for now. One of my patient's told me to put down chain link. He said the grass would grow over it, you could still mow it, and it would keep out diggers. Plus I'm going for cheap here! I think I have some old chain link. All of the improvements I have made from goaties to chickens has been totally free! Mostly pallet wood. But hey! It looks ok, its free, its treated, and chicks don't seem to mind to poop on it! hahaha. We have also made 2 larger "rabbit hutch" types for my pullets and these banties I got for free. One of these days I will have to put up a brag page.
Lori

 

[Motel Chix]

Hello,
Put a low cost wood floor to keep the chickens dry water in the winter is worst problem. You don't need heat just air tight and dry. I bought poultry netting on Ebay 2 times 1 was 30 x 50, and the other was 30 x 75 2" diamond shape hole UV protected used also in the deep sea fishing industry.
I only paid $35.00 for the small one and 46 for the larger one. Thay had many avail.
Good luck

 

[StoneBridge Farm]

I hadn't thought about ebay... good idea!
Lori