Run Covering - Tell Me If I'm Stupid lol

[Mosey2003]

So, my coop sits within a chain link dog kennel. I really want to get a tarp over part of it for this winter so that they have a snow-free run. I know that there are better ideas (mainly wiring cattle panels over the top so that they bow up), but they involve finding someone with a truck

I was thinking, how dumb would it be to take a couple of eight foot 2x4s, cut a notch in the top of each and put an eye bolt a ways down, then wire one to the outside center of each end panel and run a stiff rope tightly in between? The kennel panels are 6' tall, so that would give a peak to the tarp so that snow would slide off rather than collect and droop. I would attach the tarp to the kennel panels down each side and the end, naturally.

Is this complete folly, or could it work out okay? I'm not looking for "great" here, just "good enough."

 

[azygous]

Speaking as a chicken keeper who has gone through her share of "good enough" solutions for a run covering, beware of unforeseen occasions of extreme weather that will drive you to the point of despair as it makes it apparent that "good enough" isn't always good enough.

If you live in one of the rare locations where wind is never an extreme weather feature, then a tarp may suffice. If you live in an area that is so benign as to have no meat eating predators, a soft run cover could be good enough.

I started off with cattle/hog panels laid over the sides, also cattle/hog panels. I wanted to keep the snow out of the run so I stretched 6 mil plastic over the top. It worked adequately until a spring weather front delivered 50mph wind that whipped the plastic covering off the windward side, sending it wildly flapping, scaring both the chickens and me. Luckily, some friends just happened to stop by and helped me get the plastic fastened back down. Even with three people, it was an awful experience.

From there I went to fiberglass panels, but unlike you, the thought of pitch to enable snow shedding never occurred to me. You can imagine what happened when it snowed a moderated amount and the snow became heavy as it melted.

Now I have a sturdy roof structure with adequate pitch to cut down on the worry the roof might cave in, and so far, the fiberglass panels have been effective against predators trying to get in and keeping the weather out.

Therefore, my recommendation is to skip the "good enough" step, and go straight to the most basic effective solution. You'll end up there eventually anyway.

 

[Mosey2003]

Yes, I know a solid structure would be ideal, but it's just not in the cards. I already use a mesh tarp through the summer for a sun shade, so hopefully if I attach it well we won't lose one over the winter. It's either tarp or full on snow again.

Predators aren't a concern, they get locked into their secure coop every night.

 

[Mosey2003]

Maybe I'll just use PVC, probably work better.

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

So mine is much more rudimentary than your plan but has worked well. I also use a dog kennel for the run. The tarp covers the entire run. I used a tomato cage extended with pvc "legs" to raise the center of the tarp. The rain water now runs off the back of the tarp and away without collecting.

 

[Mosey2003]

Yes, I've considered just a center support, but worry that we'll get wet heavy snow. I did just find a pop-up canopy for a good price, maybe I'll just get that and weigh it down and tie the legs to the panels. Typing it out really helps me brainstorm, lol.

 

[Evelyn's Mom]

I, too, am in your situation... I've got about 2.5 months until the snow flies so I'm following... I've already got a sunshade and a 4x4 post in concrete in the middle....what to do, what to do...

 

[snow5164]

Pvc would work great because it bends...I’d try that to get some lift .

We put a sheet of metal siding at an angle so the snow runs off , it works well but it lowered the head room under that 10 foot section and I won’t tell you how many times I’ve cracked my head on it

 

[Mosey2003]

Well, I broke down and lobbed the idea at "the big guy" aka Dad, so we'll see what he comes up with. I know him, he won't like the idea of the pop-up canopy so he'll probably end up building me a frame and a real roof

 

[azygous]

Well, I broke down and lobbed the idea at "the big guy" aka Dad, so we'll see what he comes up with. I know him, he won't like the idea of the pop-up canopy so he'll probably end up building me a frame and a real roof

Now you're cookin'!