What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Shiffythefishy]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been scouring the net for answers for months.  I have spent quite literally a fortune on a cube and walk in run, including a few gutter edge covers.  After a few snatching incidents top security was paramount.  However, the reality of torrential, endless Scottish rain is very true, and my run is still almost completely drenched after a good downpour despite being in a sheltered corner.  The gutter edge works fine, but the water then just runs right in (like a stream) from the bottom parts.  I’m reluctant to spend yet another £100 on more covers to still have the same issues.  
 

Thinking of trying to build an additional roof structure with decent guttering.  Has anyone done this, or had success moulding ondulin panels to the current structure?  
 

the run is 2x4m, on a slabbed surface with added drainage gaps, and covered in wood chips.  The drainage is less of an issue, it’s the dry area I’m after. 

Pumpkin the grumpy wee pekin would be ever so thankful for anyone’s advice.  Her Orpington sisters really couldn’t give a toss. 
 

Many thanks!

 

 

Edited August 25, 2020 by Shiffythefishy
Additional set up info added

[Cat tails]

Pretty sure people here have those clear corrugated panels on their runs, not sure if they are Omlet runs though. But maybe put some corrugated roofing on the top and two sides, so the rain doesn't just blow in again from the sides?

[The Dogmother]

My only misgiving would be that the original structure of the Omlet walk in run wouldn't be strong enough to withstand a strong wind it it had a solid roof or panels. Patricia would be a good judge of that.

[Patricia W]

I have clear tarpaulins from Tarpaflex on the roof on three sides held in place with bungees.   They are in their 5th year and still going strong.  Much cheaper and better quality than the Omlet ones. .  However, the run is sheltered to some extent by where it is in the garden.  

I thought about the wavy onduline on the roof but decided it might act as a sail!  I have sheets of it that I move into position in bad weather on the side I keep open for ventilation.  Again I use bungees to keep them in place.  

I have thought about having a car port type arrangement over it, but decided not to for various reasons.   Not sure if that helps.   Good luck! 

Edited August 25, 2020 by Patricia W

[mullethunter]

I have the same as Patricia but my tarps (also from tarpaflex) don’t last anything like that long. They go brittle and get holes in after a couple of years.

[The Dogmother]

10 hours ago, mullethunter said:

I have the same as Patricia but my tarps (also from tarpaflex) don’t last anything like that long. They go brittle and get holes in after a couple of years.

Mine last 2-3 years, they are pretty cheap so not too bothered by that.

[Shiffythefishy]

Ladies, a very belated thanks for all of your replies! Will have a look at tarpaflex.  I really hope omlet try and do something about this as at least for me, climate change is going to mean increasingly wet periods.  It’s such a nice looking run otherwise. 
 

Wish little Pumkin luck for winter! :L 

[mullethunter]

Pumpkin will be fine - they just look sulky sometimes!

[Cats&Chickens]

I have just ordered tarps for sides, but for the top, the best solution is a carport type structure using clear corrugated plastic roofing, it is not attached to the run, therefore no risk of it blowing away!

[st3phani3]

I have my 9 x 9 W.I.R. on on a slabbed area & had the same problem as you with water getting in & flooding the area. My remedy  was to cement a long line of spare bricks [___][___][___][___] on the worst side to see how it worked out & it did😊 Glad I didn't do all the run edges as I've decided to extend run but once that's done I'll cement more bricks down. I have one big tarp that covers whole 9ft side, extends over the roof & 3ft down other side. It's kept in place by 5 Ratchet straps. The cover also comes round the sides by about a foot & a half on each side. I put the extra omlet covers I've bought over the years on the naked sides & remove then when it's summertime (about 2 days in Scotland) to ventilate.