To tarp or not to tarp?

[EffieRover]

Need a little advice from those more experienced...



We finished the sides of our new run (larger than the last) and now we're thinking about how to top it. Not topping it off is not an option -- we have hawks and at any rate, Molly will fly out if left to her own devices. So we're debating between bird netting, a tarp, and a combination of bird netting with a tarp. The new coop (under construction) will sit right next to this, but we thought a tarp would make for a cool area on a hot day and a dry area on a wet but warm day. We also thought about making the tarp removable or being able to roll it back, but we're not sure on how to attach it in a way that is sturdy but removable.

Any ideas? For reference, we made the run from 1" PVC pipe, hardware cloth, zip ties and a couple of wood dowels for the roosts. The door is hinged on via the hardware cloth only, and it's all cemented for sturdiness. It's meant to be moved along with the wheeled coop. The whole thing is about 10' x 10', give or take a stray DIY-related inch.

Thanks!

 

[suzyQlou]

Looks cute!

I hate to give advice about hawks. I've read that only welded wire and wood can keep them out of a chicken run. I have used netting, tarps, and pvc. So, I guess I'm taking a risk and have been pretty lucky so far. With that disclaimer, here's what I've seen with netting, tarps, and pvc.

I like using a tarp for shade and to keep the food dry. It's not a perfect solution, but it works pretty well, is relatively cheap, and is flexible. I use it differently depending on the weather.

I learned NOT to attach the tarp directly to the pvc run. Pvc is light weight. I had strong winds pick up my run (think parachute) and drop it, breaking a door in the process. Luckily, that was before the chicks had moved in. So, now I use some old 2x4 pieces to half-heartedly secure the tarp to the top of my run. In strong winds, the tarp and/or wood may blow, but the run itself stays put. Here's kind of what it looks like:



At some parts of the year, my hens live in my vegetable garden which is roughly the same size as your run. For removable shade, I used a tarp over a corner of the garden. I folded the tarp in half, diagonally, and inserted a 10 ft pvc pipe through the fold. Then I laid the pipe on top of the corner (it would line up above your roosting pipe pieces) to build a shady corner. My pipe kind of fit between the garden fence's wire holes. You might have to secure it in a different way. It was nice to be able to remove it on really windy, cold days. On sunny, calm days it provided shade. On rainy days it kept the food dry.



Have fun building! It looks like you've given this a lot of thought, and I love what you've come up with so far.

 

[EffieRover]

I'm so glad you posted! I hadn't thought about the parachute thing and you're absolutely right. We've already lost table umbrellas, mosquito dining tents and and ez-up shelters to the wind out here, so this would be no different.

Now I'm thinking about a PVC frame with the tarp attached that would rest on top of this frame. Maybe something just slightly larger so it could rest over the top like a box lid. That would be removable and still shelter from the rain. Guess I've got more thinking to do -- thanks!