Official BYC Poll: Is your RUN Covered or Not?

[jeepgrrl]

Of course if money was no issue and you had an easy way to make it happen (no trees in the way) I’m sure most people would have a cover run.

However, what is your current run like? Covered/ uncovered, size and what is the floor/ bedding made up of?

*please feel free to add a photo of your setup!


(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

My run has a metal roof, sand floor (pond liner under the sand to keep it dry, thus no smell). We install plexiglas panels on the outside during the winter to keep out the snow and wind.

 

[K0k0shka]

I absolutely LOVE your coop & run!! WOW!! Just charming!! We're in the process of building a bantam coop & run now. I hope mine turns out to be as attractive as yours! Well done!!

Thank you! I’m sure it will be lovely. Do you have a build thread?

 

[BDutch]

IMO:
Next poll should have more options:

• Covered with a roof
• Covered with hwc
• Covered with netting
• Not covered
• A combination of covering
• Partly covered, partly uncovered.
  

 

[SueT]

I have a main coop/run and a mini coop/run, both runs are covered w bird netting and there is 70% shade cloth over parts of the netting...the shade cloth sheds much of the rain, but it isn't waterproof so water doesn't pool on it.

 

[sunnie7]

IMO:
Next poll should have more options:

• Covered with a roof
• Covered with hwc
• Covered with netting
• Not covered
• A combination of covering
• Partly covered, partly uncovered.

Agreed! I just did a quick post hoping to see some people’s set ups and trying to decide to do with my run and it blew up!! Awesome

 

[Riggs Diggs]

Of course if money was no issue and you had an easy way to make it happen (no trees in the way) I’m sure most people would have a cover run.

However, what is your current run like? Covered/ uncovered, size and what is the floor/ bedding made up of?

*please feel free to add a photo of your setup!

My current run is uncovered but that is because it is half under two massive oak trees. (Before any one comments that oak saplings and leaves are poisonous to chickens because of the tannic acid they contain, I am aware. My chickens have been under these trees for 12 years and have never bothered with the saplings. They are smarter than people give them credit for.) That being said, they offer a fantastic amount of cover against hawks and other predators not to mention it is on average 10 degrees cooler in the hot summer months. Its turned out to be the perfect setup. I have included pictures from both ends of the run. The greenhouse sits in the middle acting as a feed station and dust bath area.
(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

 

[dfalco]

My run is covered by a trampoline. In fact, the run is made from a 15’ round trampoline that is raised on poles, to be about 8’ tall. It is attached to the main coop, with a mini coop inside when I’m raising chicks. The chickens free range once old enough. So, as now, when raising chicks, I close the main coop off, allowing the elders to go in and out through the big coop door, on the exterior of the coop, and allowing the chicks to stay in the run until older. The chicks coop in the mini coop. Today was the chicks first full day of free ranging, and cooped up perfectly just before dark. Yay!!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

My runs have covers, but those don't always help predator wise because during the day my chickens are allowed out if the runs to roam wherever they want

 

[Miami Leghorn]

This was a dilapidated playhouse that my niece and nephew grew out of,so my sister was about to throw away and I decided to rehabilitate it.

 

[TLCMidMichigan]

My coop gets the deep-dish litter with wood shavings. About every month I add more and when its too deep, scoop out and put it on the end of my garden. The rake it into the garden comes late fall. Then run the rototiller through it and leave for the spring.