Unsecure chicken perches

[moomperu]

Hi All,

 

Our old shed, which we converted to a WIR is giving up the ghost and I'm about to order a new walk in run from Aviaries4u, based on all the good feedback that they've had on here.

 

Money is tight right now, so I was wondering if we could do without the plastic roof? Does anyone have a WIR from Aviraies4u without the roof and have improvised using plastic or tarps? Is this a false economy and would it just store up problems with water and drainage? I have a cube on the ground and drainage there is fine, however the WIR would be going on a concrete slab. Would people advise me to bite the bullet and spend the extra money for an easy life?

 

Thoughts and suggestions would be much appreciated.

[clucker1]

We have a superb wir from Avaries4u with no roof other than it is covered with the wire meshing. We have had it now for 18 months. If you are ok to replenish the base bedding, you can definitely survive fine without a roof. That being said, we hope to put a roof on ours or half a roof when we can. Basically, I don't think it is a necessity, more a luxury. I hope this helps.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I suppose tarps could be used in the short-term as long as you can ensure they don't rip off in strong winds and they don't pool the water. I can't really imagine not having some kind of roof to keep the rain off though, to be honest. Mine all sleep in the WIR rather than their eglu so would get soaked when it rained. Going into autumn/winter would be tricky too as everything is more liable to get wet.

 

I would look into corrugated plastic sheeting, it doesn't cost too much if it's not for a huge area. Putting the roof on yourself might save some money too?

[Egluntyne]

Tarps won't be any use in snow, in fact the weight will probably drag the whole structure down.... this happened to someone I know.

 

Also, an agile fox could in theory scramble up and over a structure that is as high as 6ft or so.

 

I'd go for the roof if you possibly can, and mesh to tide you over if you can't afford it immediately.

[The Dogmother]

I'd go for the roof if you possibly can, and mesh to tide you over if you can't afford it immediately.

 

Same here; I'd not be without a waterproof roof on my run.

[Olly]

I have to agree, I think not roofing it - even if you DIY it rather than getting it from A4U - would be a false economy. My roof leaked a bit till I sorted it out, and it was horrible for the hens and even more horrible for me having to go in there!

Bear in mind they are in a small(ish) area in a WIR so the same ground gets worked over again and again, it will be like a quagmire before long once it starts raining.

[clucker1]

Depends on your drainage as well I think. OH designed a SUPERB drainage system, dug it out feet down, put in drainage material we had inherited, so unless it is really WET here, our chickens feet stay dry. Plus we do have inches!!! deep of wood chip which the girls LOVE to dig in. In the winter if it rains a lot is when it does get a little more than damp. A friend who has hers on sandstone would have absolutely no need for a roof.

[heth1986]

I have a WIR without the waterproof roof, just mesh over the top so that it is still predator proof.

Mine have deep hardwood chip on the majority of the base, apart from the back 3 feet which is raised bare earth where there is a large bush growing for shelter. The WIR is also surrounded by bushes and plants, a raised wall on one side and a solid fence on the other.

We're also in the process of building a new coop that will be raised off the ground for additional rain shelter (even though I know they'll be out in the pouring rain getting soaked to the bone anyway ).

In my opinion, as long as you have a decent base with some shelter from both wind and rain, I don't think you necessarily need a solid roof... but that's just my opinion and others will completely disagree!

[The Dogmother]

Another reason why it's a good idea to have a covered run; if there's ever an avian flu outbreak near you, they'd need to be kept under cover. I was so glad of my covered, bio-secure run when there was an outbreak near us a few years back. Not that anyone checked

[Lewis]

I'd get a roof if you can, if not maybe cover it with a tarp for now and then replace with corrugated later when you can afford to.

 

Another reason why it's a good idea to have a covered run; if there's ever an avian flu outbreak near you, they'd need to be kept under cover.

Was going to say this too

[Hayleybug]

could you do the roof part yourself and would that make it a cheaper option depending on the price of the aviaries4u roof? the corrugated plastic on our WIR is from wickes and only cost about £6 per panel- cant remember the measurements now but it might work out to save you some money. you would need to have some support along the roof though to prevent sagging but you could do this with some lengths of wood.