Sitting with a cup of coffee. (coffee lovers)

[Alaskan]

Pictures:

Close up of the chicken wire on top of the concrete wire

The wire by itself.

 

[Alaskan]

stock photos of the same stuff, but in its new and shiny form. Like all wire, it come in different thicknesses. The stuff I am using isn't as thick as the first photo, but I think thicker the second. Mine will still roll up, but not in a tight a roll as in the second photo.

 

[chickwhispers]

@Alaskan I hope you get your bantam coop done before it's too cold and snowy.

I've seen pictures of many runs that use the concrete wire and/or rebar to reinforce the roof for snow loads. I thought about doing that but then I'd have to have big tarps over them in the winter; replace after wore out; and put something up for shade in the summer. I even looked at the landscaping shade cloths that last along time but, I'm just not that ambitious.

So I went for once and done.

 

[ocap]

as to the roofing of a run.....

Something on the top is very helpful to keep out the raptors......


The concrete wire that I have used is excellent since it is stiff enough to hold up to any snow load.

I have wet snow, I have decided to use your ideas. Now I am shopping for the best/cheapest supporting wire. Framing on the pen is half finished, support of the top will be about seven feet apart and the top will be horizontal, I might use stock panels (4 gauge)

more coffee

 

[Alaskan]

@ocap yep, wet snow can be impressively destructive.

 

[Alaskan]

 @Alaskan
 I hope you get your bantam coop done before it's too cold and snowy.  

I've seen pictures of  many runs that use the concrete wire and/or rebar to reinforce the roof for snow loads. I thought about doing that but then I'd have to have big tarps over them in the winter; replace after wore out; and put something up for shade in the summer. I even looked at the landscaping shade cloths that last along time but, I'm just not that ambitious. :/  So I went for once and done.

A solid roof is best.... But I use the concrete wire where I have no roof, I don't put a tarp on it.

 

[chickisoup]

HI @pollitos2013 !

I was born in MI and my grandma's farm overlooked Lake Charlevoix. I now live in the northwoods of WI so we deal with about the same snow load. My chooks are bit spoiled as they have my greenhouse to play in the winter with a clear panel roofed "breezeway" between it and the coop so their litttle chookie toes don't have to touch snow if they don't want to. I haven't covered my run yet, tho I had hoped to use Alaskan's "concrete fence" (around here it's referred to as "rebar") before winter but it has been delayed till spring. I tried the tarp on the fence to block the wind etc. but without a roof as well it didn't do much but give the snow something to pile up against. That was of course, until the snow got so deep it didn't matter.

Think they will just have to be happy with the area we always plow for the pup to exercise in which is also part of their "outer" play yard around the gardens in the summertime.


this is my winter set up for the girls. The "breezeway" is tarped in on the back side and my workshop blocks the wind, etc.
from blowing in on the gate side and I put clear plastic on the gate and fence section. The other pic is the area we plow for
the puppy (not done completely when this pic was taken). That is my workshop/sunshed in the foreground. South side of
the roof is clear greenhouse panels making it toasty warm to work in on the coldest winter day with just even a bit of sunshine.

 

[mrbigschickens]

HI @pollitos2013 ! I was born in MI and my grandma's farm overlooked Lake Charlevoix. I now live in the northwoods of WI so we deal with about the same snow load. My chooks are bit spoiled as they have my greenhouse to play in the winter with a clear panel roofed "breezeway" between it and the coop so their litttle chookie toes don't have to touch snow if they don't want to. I haven't covered my run yet, tho I had hoped to use Alaskan's "concrete fence" (around here it's referred to as "rebar") before winter but it has been delayed till spring. I tried the tarp on the fence to block the wind etc. but without a roof as well it didn't do much but give the snow something to pile up against. That was of course, until the snow got so deep it didn't matter. Think they will just have to be happy with the area we always plow for the pup to exercise in which is also part of their "outer" play yard around the gardens in the summertime. this is my winter set up for the girls. The "breezeway" is tarped in on the back side and my workshop blocks the wind, etc. from blowing in on the gate side and I put clear plastic on the gate and fence section. The other pic is the area we plow for the puppy (not done completely when this pic was taken). That is my workshop/sunshed in the foreground. South side of the roof is clear greenhouse panels making it toasty warm to work in on the coldest winter day with just even a bit of sunshine.

I was born in the north where the snow do blow. I always vowed that I may have been born there but I sure wasn't going to die there. LoL After seeing your snow pictures I suddenly remembered exactly why I moved to Florida, as we say here "Ya don't have to shovel sunshine. LoL as I sit here with my faithful pal Mr Big smoking my pipe and drinking my coffee.

 

[pollitos2013]

Thanks everyone! I think I get it. After I get the water situation all thawed out I will work on the run. This is such a great resource, thanks friends, she said, sipping her coffee...

 

[pollitos2013]

And thank you for the photos too - they really help