RaspberryCJ
In the Brooder
I'm very grateful for your reply, since I wouldn't have figured this out myself! I'm not sure I understand what you mean by having "a set of smaller ratchet straps connect the stakes making an X, flat against each side of the run." Does this diagram illustrate your set up? The red lines represent the stakes and the yellow lines represent the racket straps.Ground stakes = orange spirals in the photo.
Ratchet straps = yellow straps in photo.
I first used 2 orange stakes on either side of the run with 2 yellow traps running across the top of the run.
View attachment 3183769
This was ugly, and probably wouldn't prevent the run from shearing sideways, and I like to overdo everything, so I now have the ground stakes on the *inside* of the run, one in each corner. Then a set of smaller ratchet straps connect the stakes making an X, flat against each side of the run. This holds it from blowing away and from shearing, depending on the wind direction. I don't have a good photo of this setup that I have now, but you get the idea.
When I was first building the WIR, I had started to put tarps on it, and it got late so I stopped for the day. The wind changed direction overnight (from S to N) and we had some crazy gusts, because I woke up to find my (unoccupied - chickens hadn't moved in yet) run about 80 ft away, and impaled on my garden fence. Was able to get it unstuck and my husband and I walked it back to where it was supposed to be. Amazingly, despite some damage that had to be bent back into shape and re-zip tied, it still is very sturdy! I think I only had one panel that was too warped to be usable anymore. And this story is why I know you need ground stakes and ratchet straps if you live in a windy area.
I really do love the WIR, particularly how customizable it is. It's pretty easy to pop a panel out and connect or move a coop or attach another smaller run or tunnel. I've reconfigured mine several times in the 8 months or so that I've had it.