Advice on PVC polycarbonate roof

[beginnergirl]

I have no experience building. The roof my friend started with was 1/2" plywood tacked in a few places. When it rained, the plywood warped and I wonder if I should replace it with PVC or something else?
Any advice? I bought tar paper for the roof but do t have shingles. Had planned on leaving part of the run just covered with hardware mesh but the rain soaked all the straw plus it was hot this summer so we put up some scrap wood for shade. Assuming bedding should not be wet?

How do you seal holes at the bottom of the wavy roof or is that necessary? Any suggestions on solid or transparent roofing? I live in Oregon so we get rain through the winter. Usually summers are mild but we just had our hottest summer ever. (Part of run is under the coop so there is shade there). Brand new to chickens so not sure what makes sense.

If I keep the plywood, I will need another sheet as the roof doesn't cover the nest box. Any suggestions especially pictures appreciated! I have another month or so before rain starts. Thanks...

 

[Percheron chick]

You will want to screw down the roof. They'll have washers preloaded on them.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

If you put the new roofing over the plywood you won't have to worry about the wavy parts. I considered the pvc roofing but ended up going with metal just because I have read that the plastic type gets very weak and brittle from the sun and I didn't want to have to deal with replacing panels every couple of years. Some people say to seal under the waves, some say leave it for ventilation.I think it depends on how tall the coop is (that is, can predators such as snakes get up in there) and whether rain or excessive drafts coming in would be an issue.

I would say to continue shading at least part of the run to protect it from excessive wetness, especially if you are using straw, which can become moldy.

 

[beginnergirl]

Brilliant to put the PVC on top of the plywood! It is an idea I did not consider and it sounds like the easiest solution! I also appreciate your info on straw. It does not appear to dry out in the run, so I will cover that as well.

Thank you!!!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

You might consider using something different in the run or adding some drainage channels to it. Do you have any pictures of your set up?

 

[beginnergirl]

You might consider using something different in the run or adding some drainage channels to it. Do you have any pictures of your set up?

Here it is. My friend just tacked some left over fence boards to the run side on the left for shade during our heat wave. Of course when we got heavy rain, it leaked badly. So I need a permanent solution. The coop faces west so sunlight does come into the run.

Thanks for any other suggestions. I spent so much more than I had planned but need to finish it.

 

[beginnergirl]

Sorry had trouble attaching the photo.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

That run seems really small. Do they ever get to free range? What is the ground like outside of the run? Is it concrete or dirt?

 

[beginnergirl]

That run seems really small. Do they ever get to free range? What is the ground like outside of the run? Is it concrete or dirt?

The run is 6' x 6' as it goes under the coop. I only have 3 hens. Coop is 3' x 6'. They do get time outside everyday when I am with them. Cooper's hawks are nearby. Heard one last night when the hens were out.

 

[beginnergirl]

If you mean the yard, it is grass and dirt for new beds I will plant. it is under major construction which the hens love. A large hill of dirt, and lots of shrubs and plants and great earth for digging. I wish I could leave them out all the time but am worried about Cooper's hawks. Have seen them in my yard before I had chickens. They nest close to the house. Run has a dirt floor with straw.