Solid Surface Roof on Run? Pros and Cons?

[Sally PB]

To me, part-open, part-sheltered seems like an ideal setup.

I figure that chickens know how to be chickens better than I know how to be a chicken so I like to offer them choices -- sun or shade, weather or shelter, inside or outside ....

I have heavy duty tarps for a roof on my run. Even with the silver side down, it's kind of dark and gloomy in there. So we're going to go with clear polycarbonate for a more permanent roof.

The sides are all open to the breeze, and there is some shade available. In the sunniest months, I can put the tarp over the polycarb to add to the shade.

I plan to enlarge the run too, and it will have just HC for cover. Then, as @3KillerBs mentioned, the chickens can choose where they want to be.

 

[K0k0shka]

I had clear polycarbonate panels on the roof of the run for most of last year and loved them. The run is under a large tree, so I didn't need an opaque roof for shade. I like that they were clear, they let more light in and it was never gloomy in there. I like that it kept their run dry. I really wish I could've kept it, but my neighbor on one side hates the chickens and fought a ridiculous war against them, which resulted in me being forced to take the run roof down. So now I have welded wire instead. It rains a lot in the spring and fall here, and snows some in the winter, so I ended up putting a couple of patio umbrellas in the run to give the chickens some shelter. They really don't like being outside if it's actively raining or snowing. So I'd definitely recommend the clear panels if you can afford it (hardware cloth is expensive too, so I'm not sure the HC option would actually be cheaper). Or at the very least, have part of the run covered with a solid roof to give the chickens shelter from the elements, and the rest can be wire. The panels are MUCH easier to install than HC, too.

 

[mtillitski]

I used the corrugated, polycarbonate roof panels on my run. I used white, to reflect as much heat as possible, but they make it in clear, and a variety of other colors. Our Virginia summers are on par with yours. The white panels reflect a lot of heat/sun, but still let light through. It comes in 8' and 16' lengths and is easy to install.

Cool! Do you have a picture?

 

[mtillitski]

I had clear polycarbonate panels on the roof of the run for most of last year and loved them. The run is under a large tree, so I didn't need an opaque roof for shade. I like that they were clear, they let more light in and it was never gloomy in there. I like that it kept their run dry. I really wish I could've kept it, but my neighbor on one side hates the chickens and fought a ridiculous war against them, which resulted in me being forced to take the run roof down. So now I have welded wire instead. It rains a lot in the spring and fall here, and snows some in the winter, so I ended up putting a couple of patio umbrellas in the run to give the chickens some shelter. They really don't like being outside if it's actively raining or snowing. So I'd definitely recommend the clear panels if you can afford it (hardware cloth is expensive too, so I'm not sure the HC option would actually be cheaper). Or at the very least, have part of the run covered with a solid roof to give the chickens shelter from the elements, and the rest can be wire. The panels are MUCH easier to install than HC, too.

Thank you! Sorry about the neighbor. How can you not like chickens?! I try to keep my neighbors in eggs. I worry someone will change their mind and I will be heartbroken to lose them.

Based on your response and others, I am leaning more towards the polycarbonate panels. Really wanting to upgrade the coop roof to cedar shingles for the cuteness factor, but they are soooo expensive. I hope the polycarbonate is less!

 

[Ryguy3684]

Cool! Do you have a picture?

The first is an overall picture of the run. The second shows the panels a little better. It's also the roof of my "grow out", or transition run.

 

[mtillitski]

Wow! Thank you for the pictures. I see why that's such a functional material. Swing is so cute. Lucky girls. You built them quite a home.

 

[mtillitski]

Pros...
Solid protection from pouring rain as well as predators.
Always a shaded spot.

Cons...
Cost


I went many years with a wire roof on my runs. My area sees deep snows so that was a definite issue with wire. In spring the rains can make for a nasty soggy run.
This last spring we finally put a solid metal roof on. We get HOT in summer but not humid like the south does. My birds stayed active all summer even on days over 100°.

I am beyond happy we finally did that solid roof. We just got hammered with over 2 feet of snow! No digging out the chicken run this year.

My husband keeps teasing (kinda) that my three dollar chics are costing him a ton in construction! Of course, the more expensive option is the one I am leaning towards. Muddy run sounds awful.

Thanks for taking the time to share!

 

[mtillitski]

To me, part-open, part-sheltered seems like an ideal setup.

I figure that chickens know how to be chickens better than I know how to be a chicken so I like to offer them choices -- sun or shade, weather or shelter, inside or outside ....

True! Who doesn't like choice?! I have limited space, but the coop is elevated so they have a covered spot under the coop, but the girls don't seem to really like to spend any time under there! I have spoiled them with free-ranging in the yard from sun-up to sun-down. Mornings in the run is going to be an adjustment.

 

[mtillitski]

I have an 18 x 8 run with all metal roofing, it's secure and stops the run becoming a quagmire in the rain. However I am considering an extension with wire roofing as they do seem to like the direct sunlight when they are free ranging.

I like the aesthetics of metal roofing a lot. And avoiding creating a muddy mess makes a lot of sense. Thank you! I bet they'd love the open air extension!

 

[21hens-incharge]

My husband keeps teasing (kinda) that my three dollar chics are costing him a ton in construction! Of course, the more expensive option is the one I am leaning towards. Muddy run sounds awful.

Thanks for taking the time to share!

Yeah...nothing cheap about those cheap chicks.

If doing a metal run roof look for salvaged metal. It saved me an unbelievable amount of money.

My big house is 8x14, the medium house is 6x8 and my duck house is 5x8. The big run is 16x23 roughly. All that was done with salvaged metal.