Official BYC Poll: How Is Your Run Covered?

[BYC Project Manager]

For many chicken keepers free-ranging the flock is not an option, so their birds are confined to a chicken run most if not all the time. Chickens kept in coops with a run attached are easier to keep safe from predators. Chicken runs can be basic with wires strung across the top to discourage flying predators like hawks or they can be elaborate with a complete wire roof that is high enough for you to comfortably enter the run to clean.

So please share with us: How Is Your Run Covered?

Please place your vote above, and please elaborate in a reply below if you chose "Other".

Further Reading:

• Simple Predator Proof Poultry Run
• Accessorizing Your Run- How to Make Your Run More Fun For Your Chickens
• How To Fix A Muddy Run Chicken Coop
  
• How To Stop Hawks for 30 cents
  

Check out more exciting Official BYC Polls HERE!...

 

[DobieLover]

Solid roof, asphalt shingles.

But I still let them out into their electrified pen. Three years and no hawk has gotten a bird. The roosters do a good job alerting and they have a very large Quince bush they love to hang out under.

 

[Brooks_]

Currently I use cheap deer netting. Planning an overhaul on the run and am considering aviary netting or THIS or THIS or THIS. Finding the right size rolls has been a stumbling block.

 

[3KillerBs]

The current run is not covered. I know I have hawks in the area (which is one reason I have mostly been running toward larger breeds), but haven't yet had any issues. The run has lots of cover and hiding places. (Not all photos are current, I've been rearranging things as I integrate additions).

The Chicken Palace, currently in progress, will be an Open Air coop -- integrated coop and run -- with a solid roof. But I'll still use the electric net pen for additional ranging space.

 

[Alaskan]

I have used netting... actually fishnet, in less secure runs.

But for best security I have concrete reinforcing wire layered with chicken wire as the roof.

I do have my standard chicken run with concretely reinforcing wire only. Some areas have the second layer of chicken wire, others do not.

I found that fishnet was not always effective against large birds of prey, AND snow always tears it down.

The concrete wire is super sturdy, so as long as fence posts/supporting structure is strong enough to hold the weight of snow, it holds up!

 

[Sally PB]

My run is a metal green house frame. I have chicken wire over the top. In the winter, I covered it with two heavy duty tarps. I only have one tarp on now, for more light, as the trees give a fair amount of shade.

In the next month or so, we're going to put clear polycarbonate sheets on for a roof. Then there will be plenty of light. There will be a ridge vent to allow the hot air that's rising to escape. If it does get too warm, I'll throw a tarp over part of it for shade.

 

[aart]

Not meant to be totally predator proof, hawks were the main focus.

14ga 2x4 welded wire.
Shade cloths in summer, nothing in winter.

 

[Krugerrand]

Cattle panel hoop coop with hardware cloth covered with landscape fabric.

 

[blackdog043]

I have a horse stall conversion coop. This whole side of the barn, has a metal roof overhang.

Before I moved, I had a plastic panel roof over my run.

 

[MIchickenlady]

My run is currently covered with a vinyl soft covering for a dog kennel 10x10, has holes, rips, tears, flops badly in wind, noisy, dont like it, hope to replace it soon with solid corrugated panels.