Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[jill the potter]

Hi, was just wondering about covering for the WIR when it arrives (tomorrow hopefully) Just looking at price alone the tarpaulins win but just wondering how practical they are The run is 12' long by 6' wide so was thinking of getting two 8' x 10' tarpaulins so they could overlap and come down the sides. Think the plastic sheeting is probably more practical but as the cost of the WIR and having an area of the garden paved (which in turn meant new paths!)has escalated and OH muttering something about the chooks should start laying 'golden' eggs the amount they're costing........... Thoughts anyone?

[Plum]

Hi Jill,

Well my OH who says the same, reckons that having spent all that money you don't want it looking like Steptoe's yard like mine does at the moment (run not here yet) - all those Ikea curtains and bricks holding it down.

 

So I'm probably going to use the corrugated plastic that ANH used over her eglu and have hooks to hang it on. Not thought it through properly yet but I can wash them down and take down when not needed.

 

Has anyone got pictures of what the tarpaulins or plastic look like after a while. Everyone posts pictures while they are pristine

 

Roll on tomorrow I'm still waiting for a date.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Tada

 

It's hard to tell from a photo but I'm not unhappy with the state of mine after almost a year (less for the bit on the main door). It certainly doesn't stay "glass clear" and gets quite dusty but if you could be bothered you could wash it down. I find the main wear and tear is the eyelets tearing and rusting but that's repairable too.

 

There's corrugated plastic behind this blind which makes it less seethrough.

This is the newest bit (probably a few months old) - it does look a bit clearer than the rest.

 

PS I took these with my new mobile phone . Took me half an hour to get Bluetooth to work but I did it eventually .

[jill the potter]

Thanks for that ANH, and well done on the photography. Think, because of the mumbling coming from OH about cost, will opt for tarpaulin. Now, cable ties or bungees?????

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Cable ties are more permanent but would give you a neater, flatter finish.

 

Bungees need to be able to fit through the weldmesh and don't always allow the tarpaulin to lie flush. (Depends on how well you've measured the bits - though if you're just having one huge piece that probably won't be an issue.)

 

Decisions, decisions . Been there, done that .

[Plum]

Still looks good ANH. I like the way youv'e fitted them to each frame.

[Redwing]

When you say 'covering' do you mean what should you use for the roof or sides?

 

I used a tarp on the roof of my WIR and the rain sagged the wire badly, the wire then rubbed on the tarp making it leak - I soon replaced it for a proper roof!

[Lewis]

I wondered what you mean by covering it - you said they could overlap + come down the sides, so presure you mean the roof?

 

I used corrugated plastic for the roof + its great, but the rain blows in from the back when its windy!

For the bottom, I have polycarbonate sheets running along the base, and had a couple of bits left over so have put a couple running along the top, on the back wall. Need to see how well it works once it dries up and then rains again

[atsw]

I've got a corrugated uPVC roof (sloping to allow water to run-off) and use glass-clear tarpaulin to cover the front-facing side (15' x 6') during the winter months. The back and left-hand-side are protected by hedging and fence.

 

 

 

The tarpaulin is attached to the WIR by means of a series of sturdy hooks which are screwed into the top of the wood frame of the WIR and then held at the bottom by wooden tree stumps (so no rusting marks and no sharp edges to tear the tarpaulin). Both roof and tarpaulin still looking pretty good after last winter.

 

Andrew

[jill the potter]

Thanks for all the replies. I did mean to cover the top of WIR but thought if I got one long enough it could come down one side - other side protected by the fence. I could then maybe roll it up when the weather was fine ( ). I could then attached permanent parts with cable ties and bungees for the side which could be rolled up - if you see what I mean

[sewitall]

Have a look on the internet for Corolux Translucent Miniature profile. Usually sold in packs of 5 - several lengths available. Plus extra for fixings. Guaranteed for 10 years if fitted according to manufacturers recommendations. I don't think tarpaulins will last that long.