Lucia Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 We are getting a WIR from Flyte so Fancy, we are adding a 'n dig' skirt and will put slabs on top to create a neat edge and extra level of protection. We weren't going to bother with a solid roof, just mesh, and put wood chip on the base (earth). Would this work ok or should we bite the bullet and find the extra £ for a roof? It's just I notice most folk with WIR's seen to have a roof and as this is my first winter with chickens I am wondering if I am being naive thinking a mesh roof will be ok!??! (Currrently have a cube with extended run - cube will go in the WIR). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I would say definitely go for a roof . Any bedding you have in your run will just get soggy and smelly and your girls will have nowhere to shelter. I think it's an expense that is totally justifiable . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Thanks - we sort of figured they'd go under the cube for shelter or we could attach a tarp or something.........or do we need a proper roof? (sorry for dim question) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I know some have used a tarp but it really depends on how windy it is where you are . I know a tarp wouldn't have lasted a weekend here . Also, do you get a lot of snow? If it melted on a tarp you might get leakage or lying water, whereas a sloping solid roof would allow it to drain away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 To be honest, I don't think the chooks mind the lack of a roof, as long as they have some shelter. But from a back garden point of view, it will get very smelly if it gets wet! Roof for me, everytime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I had my new wir in a temporary position, without the roof. When it was moved to its permanent position the roof was put on. The BIG plus for me in having a roof is that the bedding can be aubiose or other absorbent material. This makes an absolutely massive difference in maintenance. It depends on your priorities (and budget). As someone has already said, the chickens probably couldn't care less, but, for me, it's a god-send. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Definitely put a roof on it. Apart form the hens preferring some shelter, wet litter is a major factor in spreading disease and worms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Definately get a roof, more important than any extras. Keeping the bedding dry is an absolute godsend. No smells, and the poos somehow miraculously dry up and dissapear. When we first put up our WIR we put a tarp on temporarily until we could get the corrugated plastic. It worked very well but only temporarily as it flapped in the wind even with a million bungees and old tyres on top keeping it down. Plus you get 'puddles' of rain in any little dips. If you can possibly afford the extra then go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Hello, We have the large WIR from Flyte so Fancy and purchased the solid roofing at the same time as the run about 2 years ago. It's made of Polycarbonate & it keeps the girls nice & dry n snug. Also you have to think of the extra shelter when it snows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Thanks guys, I showed 'he who likes to think he has a say in such matters' all your replies and the upshot is he is ordering us a 9x9 walk in run with no dig skirt, roof and a mating panel for our cube!!! (I mentioned it would be nice and dry when we clean etc too which I think swung it in favour of a roof). Area has now been cleared ready so hopefully in a few weeks time the girls will have a pad to be proud of!!! So excited! (How sad am I!? LOL!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Result . (You're not sad at all, or if you are, so are we all . I lived and breathed my walk in run - and still spend more time tarting it up than doing housework .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Housework ANH? whats that then? Spend so much time in my WIR and on here that i forget i have a house falling down around me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Thanks guys, I showed 'he who likes to think he has a say in such matters' all your replies and the upshot is he is ordering us a 9x9 walk in run with no dig skirt, roof and a mating panel for our cube!!! (I mentioned it would be nice and dry when we clean etc too which I think swung it in favour of a roof). Area has now been cleared ready so hopefully in a few weeks time the girls will have a pad to be proud of!!! So excited! (How sad am I!? LOL!) Hehehe What is a mating panel please...........I'd better go & have a look Both of my cubes complete with runs are attached to the outside of our WIR so we can hose down the houses without soaking the flooring too much...does that make sense ?! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 The mating panel is basically a meshed 'tube' that securely attaches the run to the house (or cube) they only have a pic of the run attached to a traditional wooden coupe on the website but I called the nice fella at FSF and he has made them for the cube too - for the princely sum of an additional £39. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Aaah so does the same job as my Omlet run, what are you doing with your extended run then if you are getting the mating panel, sorry I'm feeling a bit fuggy headed tonight, but surely the run you already have would do the job without spending out extra money ? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Selling it to help fund the WIR hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Good reason.......... Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Plus OH not very 'handy' and looked a bit horrified about 'inventing' anything - he is happier to spend the extra £39 and just have it work. (Bless him, he's a good egg though) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 My hubby is the other way.......he's an engineer at heart so our run is possibly slightly more "indepth" than others Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Engineer? Bet your run is fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 My hubby is the other way.......he's an engineer at heart so our run is possibly slightly more "indepth" than others Ha, that's a bit like me then! OH says I always 'over engineer' everything I build for the house and garden. The wooden compost container I constructed is a masterpiece, something the famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel would have been proud of (hum.... perhaps OH is right when she says I was born 100 years too late ). Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Kindred spirits ! My dad is the same, DH & Dad are closer in age than DH & I are so it was like giving Dad a little brother rather than a son when we got married Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucia Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 My run will be here 6th October!!! Apparently the mating panel is made at just the right height for the cube door but they also send you a ramp as its tricky to use the omlet ladder, which is fine by me. All included in the price. Its not cheap but its going to be fabulous I'm SO excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
