cammy73 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hello all, Advise please... My cube and 3 girls arrive on the 9th November, my OH is in the process of building the run for them. At present we've got fencing measuring 1.2m high, I'm now concerned that they have got no roof... Will they be able to get out of the pen?? Do I need a roof on it? We will both be out in the day but I was planning on letting the girls out in the run whilst we were out... Your thoughts please.... Sharon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris70 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 We put a roof on ours - corregated plastic - 1 to keep the girls in, and 2 as the british weather is so awful to make sure they could come out whenever during the day (oh, and it's great if it's raining as we just stay in the run with the girls being nice and dry!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cammy73 Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share Posted October 30, 2007 Thanks Vicki, I'm thinking about it and and I hadn't thought about the weather bit!! Sharon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I would definitely have a roof of some sort - even if it's only strong mesh. I don't think your chickens would get out, but a fox could definitely get in without one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hello, If I've done the conversion right 1.2m is only 4ft high....in which case I would definately put a roof on. My chooks can get on the roof of my cube - even with their wings clipped (Harder for them now - I moved the cube out of their 7ft high run ) But I would also put a roof on to keep it dry - a roof is going on ours this weekend -to keep the run dry and reports of a fox spotted early morning in the field at the back of our house! Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 My girls can clear a 7ft high fence. You really do need a roof. Paxo thinks the cube roof is her special place and sits there for hours on end. Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkleeeeee Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 i put a corregated platic roof on to keep the run dry, to keep the fox out and if we have any cases of bird flu the girls can run around hapily and not be contaminated with wild birds. the sections are buy two get one free at the moment at B&Q Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cammy73 Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hello all, Its been decided!! A roof is going on... its going to be temporary at first but will become permenant.... Can i thank you all for your replies and thoughts thank you for borhering... Sharon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Good decision Sharon dont forget to show us some piccies when it's finished? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 You could just put strong netting over the run. They don't mind the weather, as long as they have some shelter! That's how my run started, however I gave in and put a roof on, purely to keep their litter dryer. OK in summer, but it soon turns into a quagmire with a bit of rain. I don't like them getting muddy feet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cammy73 Posted October 31, 2007 Author Share Posted October 31, 2007 Well I came home today to find the OH completley changing the design of the pen....Its now nearly 7 feet high and about 6feet by 7 feet square and it has a wire roof!!! With a shelter too... I'm so happy and very lucky A big thank you again for your answers Sharon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 If there's a bird flu outbreak and birds have to be 'locked down' you must have a solid roof. Remember all the poor chicken keepers in the Bernard Matthews 'zones' having to hurriedly put roofs on their pens or find alternative accomodation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Gal Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 We've done a half and half roof on the run. Chicken wire on one half and plywood on the other half. On Sunday when it was raining a lot they spent most of the time under the plywood. Also I have a little nest box and the compost bath under the plywood so I like to keep those dry. I feel it's safer to have a roof on just in case a maurauding cat, fox or buzzard fancied having a go. Although my sister doesn't have a roof on her run and not had any problems, except for when some new girls decided to roost in the neighbours trees. They made the fence higher but no roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 i'd get a roof, keeps things dry- food, hemcore (bedding) and your girls, stops things getting in or out too. just use some corrugated plastic, the blue stuff is cheaper than the white/clear. here's ours for example the only problem i have found is the ridges on the plastic get water trapped sop when we lift the roof it all runs into the back of the run, not too big an big issue though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenzin Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I put a roof on just incase of the out break of bird flew , it also stops the ground getting bogged up during the winter months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
