I built a ten by twenty-five ft covered run. It's made of 2x4s set with 5ft #centers the roof is framed with a slope of about 12/8 or so . The whole thing is enclosed with welded wire....walls, roof and the end not attached to the coop....I just replaced the original heavy duty tarp I've used as a roof and winter wind break.....it's been on the run for three years...and starting to get a bit threadbare on the southern facing roof.
The south facing wall is left uncovered during the winter. This is to allow sun and fresh air for the birds.....we get lots of snow here....and winter lasts for a long time...6 months is not unusual. The tarp is pulled evenly snug over the wire covered roof frame. Then it is fastened to the framework along the top of the wall just below the roof frames....this is done with lath....or long narrow thin boards. The tarp edge is pulled tight and temporarily stapled to keep it square and in place. The lath is laid over the edge of the tarp and screwed to the top 2x4 of the wall frame....do this on both sides of the roof....and the ends on the top or side of the end rafters....do not try to attach it to all the rafters.....its not necessary the roof will not blow out...my tarp is large enough to cover the run the full length and over the roof and down the north wall to the ground....the north side is secured with lath and screws on the 2x4 wall frames and the bottom is weighted down and secured with tent pegs....then I pile leaves along it....that holds it nice and snug...I covered the east end the same way. So the coop is on the west end, the tarp roofs the run and covers the north side....another piece of tarp covers the end.....the south side, other than the welded wire, is wide open to the winter sun shine....the run stays dry for the most part and the birds can dust bathe on a sunny February day, the wind and most weather comes from the north west or east around here....so only the very bottom edge of the south open side may get a little bit of snow, but nothing more. When it snows (almost every day) I will walk around inside the run and shake the snow off, by pushing the tarp up with my hands, wire and all....or gently and sometimes not so gently thru the wire. Start from the lower roof edge working my way to the peak, one area at a time....the snow usually slides right off.....the birds aren't to thrilled with my "Push-ups" but they get over it. In the summer I roll the back north wall and east wall, up like a tent flap and tie it in place....to allow the air to circulate....I just replaced the old tarp this fall, with a big piece of UV protected, renforced, poly vinyl sheeting....the stuff they cover the hoop buildings with...it's not as easy to use....but might last a few extra years....wish I could get a picture for you. Believe me! The effort to do it right, not half-A----, the first time was well worth it. I will try to get a picture to show you....
