EGLU HEAT PROBLEMS

[NouveauChick]

Hello-

 

We recently constructed a WIR, it's 12ft long, 4ft wide and about 7ft tall, it sits on paving slabs (with small gaps inbetween each- about the saize used for grouting) and a homemade anti-dig skirt type thing. #

 

Over the Winter I would like to attempt to make the run more weatherproof, by putting some clear tarps up, and maybe a roof- but I'm a little worried about the entire run falling over in the wind. It is attached to the original small run (by screws) which is in turn attached to the coop- but I would like to secure it to the ground if possible?

 

The chickens are kept on our allotment, which can be very windy. At present I have provided shelter in the smaller original run, so they have somewhere to go in the bad weather- but would ideally like the WIR to be pleasant for them at all times.

 

I have thought about two large pegs, tied onto a strong piece of rope, and secured each side on the run bottom- has anyone got any other ideas?

Edited December 16, 2011 by Guest

[Duncan08]

I will have a similar set up for our WIR, sitting on a block base.

You can buy Metal L shaped brackets at the DIY shop, with predrilled holes that you can use to attach the wooden run to the concrete blocks. You will need special bolts to secure into the concrete, like they sell with the "metposts"

You could I suppose also use shelf brackets, but I know I would end up falling over the little bar that runs across

I don't think there will be any chance of ours blowing away. My dad is building it for my for my christmas pressie and he has put this super fancy roof on with plywood and shingles. It weighs a ton, we couldn't even lift it off to move the run to the other end of the garden.

[Plum]

Ours is screwed into the concrete base, the sleepers round the side and the sleepers surrounding the concrete, it ain't ever going to move. After hearing some of the stories from the past few days I think you are wise to find a way of anchoring your WIR.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Mine's screwed into the concrete slabs too. It's also attached to the garage at one side, so it wasn't strictly necessary, but one side did have a bit of give in it.

[NouveauChick]

Thank you for all your ideas- I'll definitely look for some of those brackets, they sound perfect. We only really walk along one side of the run, because the other side has asparagus beds all along (which Dad protects like the crown jewels!)

I'll hopefully get this done over the Christmas break- fingers crossed it doesn't get any colder!

[chuckmum6]

You could use sand bags or railway sleepers to weigh it down? I think I want a WIR run now, my 12 chooks are really trashing the garden.

[Lewis]

My WIR just sits on the slabs and isn't secured down - just think its heavy enough.

 

We haven't had any problems in the couple years its been up!