CASE STUDY: Upgrading our chicken run with Onduline
ONDULINE CLASSIC Black Roofing Sheets
Influencer Nicole (@nicoleatcherrygarden) shares how she transformed her chicken run with ONDULINE CLASSIC roofing sheets, creating a safer, more comfortable home for her hens.
When we moved house, we knew that we wanted to improve our chicken run. We wanted to make it longer so they have more room (and I can get some more!) and we wanted to replace the roof to make sure they were safe and secure.
Over the years we’ve tried a few different roofing options, some just didn’t hold up to wet weather and snow, others were brittle over time, and none of them were as secure as I wanted. But after having the ONDULINE CLASSIC roofing on for a few weeks now, I am happy to report that it’s been the best option we’ve ever had. Let me tell you why!
A safer, more comfortable home for our hens
Here in our new home, we have a much bigger garden and with the hens being a bit further away from the house it was important to us to know that no matter what they would be protected from the elements and any predators. Living in the flat Fenlands, we regularly see birds of prey overhead and, whilst our run is fully enclosed, having a solid roof above gives me extra reassurance when the hens can't free roam because we're in the house or out for the day. It also provides more shade during warmer weather, so it's not just something that benefits the hens in winter.
Built to withstand the British weather
Living out in the countryside we can be quite exposed to the elements. The ONDULINE CLASSIC roofing sheets are lightweight but still very secure and most importantly weatherproof. Hens are very sensitive to noise, and the roofing is very good at muffling the sound of heavy rain and strong winds, which we’ve definitely had our fair share of these last few weeks! The material doesn’t rust like metal sheeting would and is resistant to rot so is a really good long-term option.
I already have a long list of garden jobs, especially since we moved, so it has been nice to tick something off and know it should last for many years to come. ONDULINE CLASSIC is virtually maintenance free too! There’s no need to constantly replace panels which are easily blown off in the wind or have to repaint them.
A straightforward afternoon project
We were very impressed by how easy they were to install. After we extended the length of the run, we were a bit daunted by the thought of having to fit a new long roof. But the ONDULINE CLASSIC sheets were really easy to handle because they are so light which made them easy to manoeuvre and lift into place. And there was no need for any expensive equipment, we managed it with just a Stanley knife, a ladder, a drill and a tape measure. We spent one sunny afternoon in the garden and got the whole thing up and fitted within just a few hours. The longest part was cutting them to size thanks to the length of the run!
Happy hens, whatever the weather
Anyone who keeps chickens will know that they don't read the rule book when it comes to British weather. They refuse to go into the coop when it's raining, stand outside looking offended by the drizzle and then get upset because they managed to get themselves soaked.
As we move into winter and the worse weather, I have complete peace of mind that our girls will stay safe, happy and dry under their new roof. They absolutely hate being wet and prolonged exposure to cold, damp conditions can have a significant impact on their health so not having to check the weather forecast every five minutes or having to make extra reinforcements, means I’m happier too because there’s less to worry about!
Having a big secure covered run means I don’t feel guilty about not letting them roam around the wet garden as they still have a dry area they can scratch around in, dust bathe and spend time outside without being exposed to the worst of the weather.
Since installing the new roof, I've also noticed they're using the whole length of the run much more when it's raining rather than huddling together looking miserable under the house. Another bonus of the new roofing has also helped keep the run much cleaner. The covered area stays drier for longer which means less mud, soggy bedding and less mess overall.
A roof that looks as good as it performs
Whilst their security and comfort are my main concern, it doesn’t hurt that the roofing is also very aesthetically pleasing! Because our chickens are part of the garden rather than hidden away, appearance was important too. We spend a lot of time outside and with the run being as large as it is, I wanted something that looked smart rather than purely functional. The anthracite colour works really well with the rest of the garden and feels much softer than just black. It blends into the landscape while still looking neat and modern - although black was available if we’d wanted it. In fact we had the option of choosing several different colours, but we are very happy with our choice as it looks fantastic in our cottage style garden. I also love the corrugated style and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to elevate any animal shelter or even a shed or outbuilding!
Overall, upgrading our chicken run roof has been one of the best improvements we've made since moving house. The hens have more space, better protection from the weather and a dry area to enjoy all year round, while I have the peace of mind that they are safe and comfortable. If you're considering improving your own chicken run, I genuinely wouldn't hesitate to recommend ONDULINE CLASSIC roofing sheets.
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