Hoop House on top of Run?

[doublecrossranch]

I am brain storming ways to keep the snow out of my covered run this season. Last year I used tarps. It worked for the most part. I had to push the ceiling up everyday to get the weight off because of sagging. I couldn't get it close enough to the coop to keep the doors from freezing shut. It wasn't fun taking a hair dryer outside to try to get the chickens out of the coop. I understand that chickens survive just fine in the winter and don't need covering but it makes me feel better. Plus I don't have to waste as much food from getting wet from rain and snow. And the water doesn't freeze as fast. I don't keep feed in the coop because of mice. I do have 2 heated waterers but the chickens don't like them and that means I have to run 2 extension cords out to the run.

So my question is is it possible to attach a hoop house to the top of a wire covered run? Is it a crazy idea? Is there a better solution? What ways do you keep your chickens warm, feed dry, and water from freezing during the winter?

 

[aart]

So my question is is it possible to attach a hoop house to the top of a wire covered run?

Yes, but not one that big.....8' wide max to make curve tight enough to shed most of snow.
What size is that wire mesh?
How much snow do you get?

 

[doublecrossranch]

Yes, but not one that big.....8' wide max to make curve tight enough to shed most of snow.
What size is that wire mesh?
How much snow do you get?

The mesh on top is 1x2. The total run is 27x34. I have it separated into 3 sections. The section where the coop is approximately 14’ x 27’. I’m in Missouri. We get more ice than snow. I’m trying to keep from having to use the hair dryer to get the door open and washing out ruined food in below freezing temps.

 

[aart]

I’m trying to keep from having to use the hair dryer to get the door open and washing out ruined food in below freezing temps.

I'd look at just protecting the door then...pics of just the door?
....and look at a spill proof feeder that you can keep in the coop to stay dry.

 

[doublecrossranch]

There is a very small gap between the board and the coop. It makes it very hard to cover.

 

[AppleMomma65]

So what if you just raised that center part by about 8" with some more boards to create a slope (toward the outside) and then covered the whole thing with some clear/frosted panels?

My run is A-frame and I will be inserting corrugated plastic panels (the kind of plastic that is used for garage sale/realtor signs) that will go over the hardware cloth sides. My coop came with similar to insert over the hardware cloth. I've used it when I know it's going to storm or if we are going to have several days of rain and it has done a great job keeping rain out.

 

[RojoMarz]

Would putting a simple porch type roof over the pop door help? Smaller simpler version of this:

 

[doublecrossranch]

So what if you just raised that center part by about 8" with some more boards to create a slope (toward the outside) and then covered the whole thing with some clear/frosted panels?

My run is A-frame and I will be inserting corrugated plastic panels (the kind of plastic that is used for garage sale/realtor signs) that will go over the hardware cloth sides. My coop came with similar to insert over the hardware cloth. I've used it when I know it's going to storm or if we are going to have several days of rain and it has done a great job keeping rain out.

That’s genius. As I was sitting down there waiting for an egg bound hen to lay I was thinking about adding boards to do just that. Thank you

 

[3KillerBs]

There is a very small gap between the board and the coop. It makes it very hard to cover.

How about roof flashing?

Though COVID shortages might make it hard to come by.

Have you taken the problem to your local building supply store to get advice? Often the employees there will know exactly what to do about odd issue like this.