emmalou Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 I am heading into my first winter with my chooks but have only tarpaulin atm for cover and do not think it will hold up very well once winter sets in. I would love to get some inspiration from you all as to how your chooks are sheltered from weather? We don't have the luxury of a shed or outhouse during the day for them, just their coop which is for night time. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 What are you needing to weatherproof? Is it just the coop, what type is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 If you could post a picture then I'm sure there will be lots of advice:)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 the main thing to remember when rain proofing a run is it still needs to have a good airflow through it plus the more you cover a run the better it needs to be fixed to the ground to stop it been blown away all my runs have roofs but all are open sided if it rains to much in the winter I remove the wood chip completely and just leave the bare slabs. all but one run have an area under the coops that stay dry enough for shelter the one run isn't used much after mid December anyway but will need replacing soon so that coop will be raised up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Do you have a WIR ? We have corrugated PVC on top. It is well secured and lasted all winter. Occasionally if rain is constant we stick spare bits at side to keep run a bit dryer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 I have a walk-in run that we originally covered with some camping groundsheets we already had as a stop-gap, but they tore really quickly in windy weather. I replaced in at the end of last year with this one from Amazon, it's very strong and is showing no signs of damaged, we secure it with bungee cords through the eyelets. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clear-Tarpaulin-Reinforced-Sheet-Sheeting/dp/B00814S3NI/ref=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1474138823&sr=1-1&keywords=Clear+Tarpaulin+Reinforced+3m+X+4m+Rain+Sheet+Tarp+Sheeting+Cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted September 17, 2016 Author Share Posted September 17, 2016 I have never managed to work out adding photos on this forum which is a pain as I don't have a problem on other sites. The run is 12m x 6m and they have an off the ground coop with a nesting area and roosting section which is very air and water tight. The coop is absolutely fine, it is shelter for the run. The problem is I have added a sheet of tarpaulin to the roof netting but today it has been so wet that I am concerned it isn't enough as whilst there is direct shelter the rain drives in. We will get snow in the winter (being in France) so not sure a sheet of tarpaulin over the top of the run is sufficient on one third of the run. I have read that just tarpaulin on the top is not draightproof enough as the sides of the run are just wire fencing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 (edited) The trouble if you cover the sides too as SJP says, you will have to make sure the run is very well anchored, otherwise in high winds it may take off. I have a 3 x 2 lo rise run which is in a fairly sheltered garden. I have the whole roof covered with a clear tarpaulin (it's been on about 12 months and is just starting to tear in a couple of places around the eyelets) which goes down the sides 6 inches or so, then in the most sheltered corner (about a meter in each direction) I also have the sides covered to the ground. This stops rain from above over the whole run, and gives them one corner which almost always stays completely dry. I have perches in this corner and high up under some other bits of the cover so if it's really nasty, the ground is wet and the rains blowing sideways they can stay dry on a perch. Click on the picture to see all of it - I don't know why half of it always falls off Edited September 17, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted September 17, 2016 Author Share Posted September 17, 2016 Problem is, our run is 12 metres long so getting suitable covering is tricky. Temps get down to -15 in winter wi a few feet of snow etc. Some say they are hardy creatures and don't need too much protection. I choose to give them something, then it is there if they need it. Tricky keeping the area dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Of you had a couple of feet of snow you'd need a pretty strong structure too as it'd be heavy if you couldn't keep it cleared off. Maybe a small section covered by corrugated plastic supported by posts would be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 It depends on the shape of your run whether this will work, but I've used corrugated plastic sheets on an eglu run before, very successfully. It doesn't flap (and thereby tear) like tarpaulin and it's easy to attach securely with bungee cords. You probably don't have a B&Q in the Alps but there must be an equivalent . I have a photo somewhere if you think it might work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 That's a big area, and as mullethunter says, if you have two feet of snow it would need to be very strong. I think I those circs I'd aim for a partially covered bit or some individual shelters that they can use in bad weather. My run is covered with corrugated plastic roofing sheets but it's only 2m X 3m, and they are supported on wooden cross beams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted September 18, 2016 Author Share Posted September 18, 2016 Thanks all and you are right Olly. Last night I made the decision to make up some small areas of shelter, one being under the actual coop as it is 3 foot off the ground so should be ideal for that. I am not sure either that the tarpaulin will hold up once winter sets in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted September 18, 2016 Author Share Posted September 18, 2016 It depends on the shape of your run whether this will work, but I've used corrugated plastic sheets on an eglu run before, very successfully. It doesn't flap (and thereby tear) like tarpaulin and it's easy to attach securely with bungee cords. You probably don't have a B&Q in the Alps but there must be an equivalent . I have a photo somewhere if you think it might work for you. Thanks, yes we have a Castorama which is part of the B and Q group so no getting away from them! My husband has a lot of wood in the garage. Will trash the garage today before he gets home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I use corrugated PVC screwed to timber to cover a 2.4m X 2.4m dust bath, 1.8m x 1.8m feeding area and 1.2m x 2.4m "broody area" my garden is sheltered from the wind, I guess if your area is exposed the wind can blow it away. If you go for corrugated PVC and timber be sure to ask the DIY shop what washers do you use. as you need a washer that doesn't damage the PVC. 12m x 6m is a big area to cover. If I was you I would cover a part of it initially including the sides and put a dust bath. you only need an area to provide shelter for the hens when it is raining. you can always cover more later I don't know the weather situation in your area. but if you keep the area completely dry. the grass will die "if there is any grass left" unless you water it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 I have never managed to work out adding photos on this forum which is a pain as I don't have a problem on other sites. The run is 12m x 6m and they have an off the ground coop with a nesting area and roosting section which is very air and water tight. The coop is absolutely fine, it is shelter for the run. The problem is I have added a sheet of tarpaulin to the roof netting but today it has been so wet that I am concerned it isn't enough as whilst there is direct shelter the rain drives in. We will get snow in the winter (being in France) so not sure a sheet of tarpaulin over the top of the run is sufficient on one third of the run. I have read that just tarpaulin on the top is not draightproof enough as the sides of the run are just wire fencing. I don't see whats wrong with the set up you've got there's a big enough covered run to act as a shelter. you could put a bit more sheeting on the side to the same drop as the short bit of run i.e about half way down draft proofing an outside run isn't necessary it's not as if your keeping a wimpy dog in there it's for chickens who needs the ventilation if you over do the plastic sheeting on a run that size even in the winter on a sunny day it will get hot under the plastic very quickly .if you want to put a wind brake up and if you can get it in France there's debris netting that they put up on scaffold it will keep a bit of rain out and acted as a little bit of shade. you'll need to pull it tight and zip tie it well it has tie hole in it and it's a reasonable price in the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted September 18, 2016 Author Share Posted September 18, 2016 Problem is, you can have plenty of cover on top but driving rain does get around the sides unless they are covered. I cannot see the tarpaulin working once winter properly arrives. There is a 4x3 metre tarpaulin on top but only a small area stays dry. The sides need some protection but think we may waste our time and money putting any sheeting up. We can build small sheds for the food, dustbaths etc but could really do with a large area for the dry but is a lot of work and expense. Also these small food stations with a roof are not that good as rain does not just fall vertically! A huge run is great but comes with it's issues. How we long for a cheap shed or outbuilding for them chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 food station is easy enough to sort out use the area under the cube you only need to cover 3 small areas enough to keep out driving rain or you could use the eglu run but I'd use that for the dust bath in the winter the metal feeder you've looks like mine I've had it for about 3 years and it keeps the feed dry even in the worst weather I don't put more than a days feed in though through the winter my other feeder do get wet through but I have to live with that the galv. feeders are to wide for the other runs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
