16x16 Run Roof or No Roof Suggestions

[pennhens]

Hey Folks!

First time raiser of chickens and excited to have moved them from their brooder to their permanent run + coop. In my exuberance to build the run I did not think about snow load. I was planning on using 1/2" hardware cloth across the top but have now read that in the winter it ill collapse.

I am now left with either adding a proper roof structure or searching for suggestions on alternatives. I have purchased bird netting as a temporary fix to keep out flying predators.

Do I need to consider a proper hardware mesh roof for climbing predators? The run is 8' high.

Have others found success or recommend an alternative to a roof with proper truss?


If I do build a roof I am thinking of using 2 - 2x8 rafter beams with 5' joists hung with joist hangers. I will add a slight pitch.

 

[ChaosMom]

Hey Folks!

First time raiser of chickens and excited to have moved them from their brooder to their permanent run + coop. In my exuberance to build the run I did not think about snow load. I was planning on using 1/2" hardware cloth across the top but have now read that in the winter it ill collapse.

I am now left with either adding a proper roof structure or searching for suggestions on alternatives. I have purchased bird netting as a temporary fix to keep out flying predators.

Do I need to consider a proper hardware mesh roof for climbing predators? The run is 8' high.

Have others found success or recommend an alternative to a roof with proper truss?


If I do build a roof I am thinking of using 2 - 2x8 rafter beams with 5' joists hung with joist hangers. I will add a slight pitch.

I closed the top of my run with 1/2” HWC, and now it’s obvious that I need a roof. I figure the nice thing is I just have to add a roof without more HWC.

 

[pennhens]

I closed the top of my run with 1/2” HWC, and now it’s obvious that I need I roof. I figure the nice thing is I just have to add a roof without more HWC.

I am in a similar situation where I have all the HWC I need. I just need lumber and a day to put in the roof.

 

[WingItRanch]

You won't regret putting a roof on the run. It will make a world of difference in keeping everything cleaner. I know it's a pain but you'll probably want a roof later on down the road so might as well add it now.

I used 2×4s as the roofing structure and screwed in coorigated metal sheets. Not sure if that will work as well for you. Are your walls all the same height? Mine get shorter the further down the run so the rainwater can travel down the coorigated roofing (snow is unusual here).

 

[ChaosMom]

I am in a similar situation where I have all the HWC I need. I just need lumber and a day to put in the roof.

If you’re using metal roofing panels, I think the standard recommended (by manufacturer) pitch is 3/12.

Another bit of advice I’ve gotten is to have a generous overhang over any doors into the coop.

I currently have half the run tarped, the half over the coop, and it’s lying flat. You’d be ASTONISHED how much rainwater it collects. And the girls go banana-crackers when we dump it, even when they’re out in the yard. We now go out to burp the roof at 2 am, and they sleep through it. It’s no fun.

 

[Airyaman]

If you want to cover the run, if you can source pre-engineered trusses, that would be your best bet, 3/12 to 4/12 pitch would be good enough and save money on roof panels ( the higher the pitch, the longer the panel needed to cover). Other wise, without that, you'd need 2x8 rafters for snow load on 24" centers and now it's getting pricey.

After that, you'd need to add 1x4 or 2x4 purlins across the rafters (or truss top chord) at 24" centers for roofing material (if metal or polycarbonate).

 

[Airyaman]

Furthermore, if you want to go with a roof that will support snow load, your substructure will need be improved as well. You'd need (at least) to add 2x4s to the walls to sit at 24" centers and another 2x4 top plate.

 

[perkolator]

Just to add to the comments above....if you're adding more structural components for a roof, you'll also likely want to improve the foundation, since I only see 2x4s and they're in direct soil contact

 

[pennhens]

I am now thinking of going a different route as this keeps getting more complicated. I recently built my kids a treehouse with a proper roof so understand the project ahead.

What do you all think of 1x2" welded wire on the top supported by a 2x8" beam on top of 3 4x4" posts cemented into the ground? The welded wire would run 8' to the bean them 8' to the other wall.

My main goal here would be to keep out predators from the top. I can then come up with another solution for shade and weather protection that can be more freestanding.

 

[perkolator]

A center beam and posts would likely help, yes. 1x2 welded wire should be sufficient for the majority of predators out there, but there are some that can fit through those openings if you have them, such as weasel-type predators. 1/2" hardware cloth is usually the recommended protection from the smallest predators.

I didn't grow up around snow, but I'd imagine 1x2 wire fencing will still accumulate certain types of snowfall, as I've seen many pics of more-open fencing like chicken wire and netting, accumulating ice and snow.