I just wanted to give an update on my half(quarter?) cattle panel hoop covered run. I didn't do everything I'd hoped of course, but it's working out well. I thought I needed to completely waterproof the ceiling joints where the panels meet but there's really no need as a run. Slow drips in heavy rain aren't a big deal.
The structure is about 16x12. The winter sun does indeed warm it up nicely in there. I put 2+ feet of fallen leaves down in the fall which the chickens enjoy digging in. They shrank fast, I needed more!
It's withstood 18 inches of heavy snow. I do clean it off when we get hammered but I don't fear collapse, just better safe than sorry. Plus the snow blocks the sun which defeats the purpose.
You can see in pic below how the snow drifted deep on the flatter area where the coop itself stopped the wind. It held!
Very pleasant for birds and their friends.
I used a woven shade cover in the summer which really helped keep it cool.
My poultry guardian dog may or may not have been sneaking on the feed here. He sure loves laying in the leaves on wet muddy days!
The structure is about 16x12. The winter sun does indeed warm it up nicely in there. I put 2+ feet of fallen leaves down in the fall which the chickens enjoy digging in. They shrank fast, I needed more!
It's withstood 18 inches of heavy snow. I do clean it off when we get hammered but I don't fear collapse, just better safe than sorry. Plus the snow blocks the sun which defeats the purpose.
You can see in pic below how the snow drifted deep on the flatter area where the coop itself stopped the wind. It held!
Very pleasant for birds and their friends.
I used a woven shade cover in the summer which really helped keep it cool.
