PVC and trap covered run?

[mommyoftwo]

I am in the middle of building my coop and run for my chickens. Right now I have 5 and plan on picking up another 6 tomorrow. My coop is 4ish feet wide by almost 13 feet wide. It has 2 large windows on the south facing side. And is going to have a slanted roof with air vents in the front. The walls are about 10 ft tall. It was an old shed that I moved and am fixing it up. The run is going to be 10 ft wide and about 24 ft long. I using an old dog run that I making into the run. My biggest predators are going to be hawks. I don't have to worry about coons, foxes or other stray dogs. I have 2 large guard dogs in my yard that are free to roam. I want to cover the run, but don't have a large budget right now and try to build it as cheap as possible. I was thinking of using PVC pipe across the top about every 4 ft or 6 ft. on top of the landscape timers that are in the ground. I then was going to place a trap over half of the run, and then put fence on the other half. Will that be ok. The run will still be in the sun most of the day from the sides just not high noon sun, and only half will have a trap, to keep it dry and save on cost of fence.

 

[shelbydog]

I'm also debating doing the same for a run. I thought of maybe arching cattle panels for the roof part instead of PVC pipe. I do have the landscaper timbers already. If you end up doing this I'd love to see pics on how it turns out.

 

[RoseMarie1]

I did something like this on a cover for a patio like thing I did several years ago. When it rained the tarp filled with water and was almost touching the ground in the middle from it holding all the water. IF you could figure out a way to slant the top so the tarp wouldn't fill up with water?

 

[openheartnp]

Hi I built my coop and run 4 years ago, two dog kennels end to end with fencing lashed to the top and buried on the bottom. Originally I used tarps but the water and snow made more work than anything. Pushed down the fencing on the top, micro holes leaked into the coop. We always worried if we were away for a day and it was heavily raining or snowing. I finally put corrugated plastic roofing on, boy what a difference. For me, it was worth the expense, I hear ya with the budget, but with roofing you will get your return. Leaks and sags will make cleaning harder. Good luck with your flock!