Soggy run

[katieD]

Hi

 

2 years ago I got a lovely walk in run and cube ( upgraded from a eglu) we put a corrugate plastic roof on it with guttering and all was good! Could give them a lovely bed of shavings etc ( see pic)

 

Then winter hit last year and it was a disaster! Lost count of the number of times the neighbours bought broken panels back from the roof that has been blown off in the wind! The joins leaked and the bed was constantly being wrecked by the wet. It didn't help that I was pregnant and couldn't keep doing complete cleans as it was wet etc!

 

Husband spend summer redoing roof with more overlap, fixings and slant to roof and hoped all would be good

 

Well it appears I thought wrong roof off again, run completely flooded = unhappy chickens and owner!

 

I'm seriously considering going back to an eglu and rehoming some of my girls, i really can't cope with it all

 

Any ideas?

 

Did think if moving them onto a grassed area and taking the roof off completely? At least they could scratch away to their hearts content? Would I just need to rake over the area on a regular basis ? I just want a low maintenance run, as struggle with new baby and family etc x

 

Thanks if you have got this far! Xxx

[Egluntyne]

I put a large clear tarpaulin (cost abot £20 via ebay) over mine, as I had similar problems after a couple of years, and it has worked a treat. It is anchored down very well, as it is inclined to flap in the high winds.

 

Re soaked bedding, I also find that moisture seeps up between the cracks in the paving if the conditions are right. I'm planning on putting a damp proof membrane down between the paving and the bedding to see if that helps.

[Tweety]

Clear tarpaulin, as Egluntyne suggests, works very well. I got mine from Tarpaflex, and it did a good job although it seems to be virtually impossible to keep the bedding completely dry. The rain always manages to seep in somehow!

 

I have moved my bantams onto grass again for the winter, whilst I do some work on their WIR, and tbh it has made life much easier. In fact I will probably keep them there permanently from now on, and just rake out the poo and sprinkle the ground with something to keep it hygienic once a week. They do free range all day though, which makes a big difference.

[katieD]

Will have a look at the tarpaulins

 

I do have a white one that I used as a temporary roof when it first went up so might try that again!

 

So frustrating when the roof has cost so much time and effort! I wanted it to look really nice in the garden, a nice feature but if the tarpaulin works so be it!

[redcharlie43]

How about a rubber roof made from EDPM and a sheet of wood. We used this for our shed and a flat roof terrace. It's really good, completely weatherproof and lasts for about 25 years. If your OH is good at DIY it is really easy to fit and realtively cheap. Just order the size you want and attach the wood to you roof and glue the EDPM over the top.

[The Dogmother]

If you're aiming for a clear roof (which will give them more light) then try one of the reinforced tarps - I got one from a company on ebay, just try searching for 'clear reinforced tarpaulin'

 

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've also had problems with my corrugated plastic WIR roof but seem to have got it sorted now.

 

I've had wooden batons screwed on along 2 sides on top of the plastic. I also put put as many screws in as there was room for.

 

I also have a double layer of corrugated plastic as I managed to make holes in the bottom layer with a rake when it snowed last year so put another layer on top of the first.

[mollyripkim]

I agree it seems to be almost impossible to keep bedding completely dry, I had a GO last winter with tarpaulin but the Easibed still got wet and I had to keep changing it. Have upgraded to a Cube and have just winterised with tarpaulin but also changed to hard wood chippings. From reading posts on here it seems it doesn't matter quite as much if it get wets and apparently it will dry out again as people leave it down for several months so it might be easier for you - but it was expensive.

[Redwing]

An Onduline roof may be an idea

[abwsco]

An Onduline roof may be an idea

 

That's what we did and no leaks. Mind you mine are out all day so not affected by the darkness of it.

[Henslaved]

I went for the twin walled polycarbonate sheets (the type you see on conservatory roofs). It was quite expensive , but in my opinion it was well worth it . My WIR has been up for about 8 months now and has taken everything the weather has thrown at it (so far ).

 

When the weather is bad, instead of letting the chooks out, I grab a chair and a cuppa and go sit in their run with them .

[poppy ben grace]

Hello, sorry to hear of your problems. Have you considered putting woodchip on the floor? Its a bit better than shavings etc as if it gets wet it doesnt matter. I use it and just rake it over once a week with some stalason f sprinkled around. We had part of our roof blow of recently so i know how you feel, thankfully oh has secured it well now. Our roof is onduline and it is dark but its heavy and hardwearing and good for hot days. Hope you find a solution for you and your hens!

[hibah]

put a sand bag over it or anything heavy it will be fine

[Cooks]

I was just wondering whether you had got the over lap right as I am sure my husband told me that if it was wrong the roof would leak. Also if you don't use the correct cup fixings it will leak. I am sure you've thought of these things but I was just thinking aloud, how frustrating for you