Cover for cattle panel run

[U_Stormcrow]

The shade cloth I use.....

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Easy-Gardener-Shade-Fabric-By-the-Foot/3028059

Sold by the foot in 6' width. I have had mine over 7 years now and it's still holding up really well. Grommets are carried in store as well as at least 3 colors of shade cloth.

I've looked at those - and the grommets, cheesy though they appear, aren't metal, so they have a larger surface bearing area - which in this case is a good thing.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I've looked at those - and the grommets, cheesy though they appear, aren't metal, so they have a larger surface bearing area - which in this case is a good thing.

Yeah they are cheesy. I opted not to use them and have found my clips work well.

It lets air through, slows rain, stops hail and doesn't become a big sail when it's windy.

 

[Krugerrand]

My run is attached to my coop, and the front is framed and sided with a door. Hears a pic during the building process. I covered the half closest to the coop with the tarp.

I really like the look of this.

@res did a similar front.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/

I may try to incorporate something similar. My neighbor has some old fencing I could potentially repurpose.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I really like the look of this.

@res did a similar front.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/

I may try to incorporate something similar. My neighbor has some old fencing I could potentially repurpose.

Pretty good use of old fence pickets if you ask me.

 

[Krugerrand]

Have you looked into getting a used billboard vinyl as a tarp alternative? They are thicker, and about the same price, less reliant on the strength of the grommets (a typical fail point). Granted, your birds will have to look at an advertisement, but...

I like the idea of billboard vinyl. I'm just not sure if it's ideal. I think breatheable is better in the summer and something that lets in more light might be better in the winter.

The shade cloth I use.....

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Easy-Gardener-Shade-Fabric-By-the-Foot/3028059

Sold by the foot in 6' width. I have had mine over 7 years now and it's still holding up really well. Grommets are carried in store as well as at least 3 colors of shade cloth.

@21hens-incharge - when do you switch out between the shade cloth and the plastic? Your plastic looks to let in light. How important do you think that is in the winter? What are your thoughts on the billboard vinyl?

I'm thinking I'll probably go with something I can roll up/down attached to 2x2 or something like that rather than worrying about grommets. (but that might not work for the edges?)

 

[21hens-incharge]

I like the idea of billboard vinyl. I'm just not sure if it's ideal. I think breatheable is better in the summer and something that lets in more light might be better in the winter.


@21hens-incharge - when do you switch out between the shade cloth and the plastic? Your plastic looks to let in light. How important do you think that is in the winter? What are your thoughts on the billboard vinyl?

I'm thinking I'll probably go with something I can roll up/down attached to 2x2 or something like that rather than worrying about grommets. (but that might not work for the edges?)

I put the plastic on before the first heavy snow. We may get a couple light snows and then head back into the 70-80° range. It tends to be November when I put it on.
I remove it in late April but don't add the shade cloth until late May since the sun isn't really hitting it until then.

Oh and yes it lets muted light in. I think light in the coop AND in the run are both important. A dark coop and dark run keeps them less active which means less eating. I think it's actually critical to keeping them healthy.

 

[Cecisflock]

So, I'm getting ready to start construction on my small cattle panel run for up to 4 hens (any roosters will have to go). The plan is to anchor 2 cattle panels with 6 steel T-posts. Prior to raising the panels, I'll attach 1/2" hardware cloth to the entire panels.

On of my chicks is a silkie, which will heighten the need for me to keep the run area protected from rain and snow. So, I'm trying to figure out how to best cover the run. Options I've seen in researching: plastic, tarps, landscape fabric, shade cloth.

Landscape fabric and shade cloth off the advantages of air permeating through to allow for better air circulation and reduce 'kite affects.' Plastic and tarps help to keep heat contained (winter positive, summer negative). Plastic can let in some light.

What have you used and liked best? Do you use a set it and leave it approach or raise and lower it based on the weather? How often should I expect to have to change it out?

hawk lattice is nice too!

 

[mowin]

I really like the look of this.

@res did a similar front.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/

I may try to incorporate something similar. My neighbor has some old fencing I could potentially repurpose.

Very similar to mine,

 

[Krugerrand]

Very similar to mine,

You had me confused there. At first I thought this was a 3rd similar example. I was trying to say that I liked the look of yours and that the pictures I copied was similar to yours.

 

[Krugerrand]

I put the plastic on before the first heavy snow. We may get a couple light snows and then head back into the 70-80° range. It tends to be November when I put it on.
I remove it in late April but don't add the shade cloth until late May since the sun isn't really hitting it until then.

Oh and yes it lets muted light in. I think light in the coop AND in the run are both important. A dark coop and dark run keeps them less active which means less eating. I think it's actually critical to keeping them healthy.

Does this shade cloth block rain?