roof on run or not

[elmo]

I have one roofed run and one unroofed one, but I'm planning to add a roof to the unroofed one this spring. It's nice not to have to think about moving the birds when it rains or dealing with wet and muddy ground.

 

[donnavee]

I'm in Carolina as well - greetings! Our enclosed run is about 8x16 and we covered a little over 1/2 with the plastic panels and the other 1/2 with only wire. This was the last part of building a new coop and already spending more money than we anticipated - I now wish we had covered all of it with the panels. In fact, the weather has been so lousy this winter that I bought a roll of clear plastic and installed it over the other 1/2. We also have a larger open fenced area for the chickens to roam in when the weather is nice. I say cover as much as you can - I think you will be glad you did.

 

[LynneP]

I love my covered run and I add snow boards in winter. Great predator protection-see below

 

[cherylcohen]

we went to a roof. Originally we had netting, then tarps when the rains started, but it was such a mess and a big chore dealing with it. We love the roof, more views on my byc page

 

[jamespm_98]

I guess your weather and possibly what you do with your run's floor( the ground) will drive your decision. I keep mine on deep litter of leaves, straw, grass clipping etc.. so mine is one giant composting machine. I have half of my run covered and the other half open with chicken wire on the top. I find my birds seem to spend about half the day in the uncovered portion rain or shine unless it is just pouring. If I had just a dirt floor then I would cover it all due to mud, but with plenty of organic material underfoot my girls stay nice and clean and their feet are high and dry since they are on about 8 inches of leaves etc...

One more thing, I find runs that are completely covered and have a bare floor seem to be dusty during dry weather, Just my 2 cents.

 

[SC_Hugh]

Quote:
I agree completely with Tina about building a covered run.

A chicken friend of mine suggested a roof for the following reasons: shade from the sun, protection from the rain, protection from wild birds pooping into the run while sitting on top and more protection from predators. Our 17 lb cat likes to walk on the chicken run roof, no problem.

Whenever I let my little flock out to free range, 80% of the time they choose shade cover under the trees and shrubs to peck and scratch and only choosing be out in the open for 20% of the time. Covered shelter means protection to them.

Hardware cloth and a covered roof were the best advice I ever received, both cost extra money and both are well worth it.

--Hugh

 

[blueskylen]

my hoop run is covered half way down with green tarps in the summer ( blue tarps are bad feng shui ) and they floor does not get wet. tarps all they way down on the sides in the winter - open on the door end - this keeps the snow out and the hens warmer when outside.
i have found that a rectangular winter pool cover is cheaper and thicker than tarps of the same size - plus it has tie strips built in .

 

[SophieLain127]

I'm going to do half and half. The half near the coop will be covered with a thick canvas tarp (the one we are currently using for our rabbit run, which won't be needed after the run is built and rabbit is moved in), However the whole run will be covered in wire.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

We bulit our coop and run last spring. We used wire over the top of the run... Well, after a few months of rain, ice, snow, sleet, hail etc... I was wishing I had built the roof solid.. We did place a tarp over it and one side to block the wind some , before our first windstorm (50+ mile winds) and the girls have really enjoyed it.. We will be covering it, this spring, w/ premament roof.. When we build my new coop it will have both a roofed area run and a wire covered run...

Good luck..Dixie

 

[jojufarm]

I think your all right in coving the run , i'm going to cover the run it's about $200, the coop is in the field with no shade and the run roof would give the ladys some shade. and we have alot of BIG birds flying around, (hawks).

Thanks all
will be posting photo of my coop when done, if it ever stops Snowing!

john