Building a 6x16ft Lean to Chicken Run

[ninamarie8253]

Don't use gravel, poop will collect in it and stink, impossible to 'clean'.

Why not just put a gutter on your solid lean to roof and divert downspout into garden or a large rain reservoir?

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View attachment 3250242

Done! And we already have gravel put there, but its going to be the 'base', we might put mulch ontop. I would love the idea of a gutter but I dont know how to do all of that and trying to keep costs down too.

 

[ninamarie8253]

Who owns that fence?
Who owns the land on the other side of the fence?
Also be aware that rain water coming off the roof could cause issues.

Thats our fence, and the land on the other side of the fence is township swamp ground property, behind that is a cemetery.
Why would rain coming off of the roof cause issues?
I just need to figure if we are gona do a wire mesh flat roof, and get the inside of the coop wet (and use mulch to prevent soggy/mud), or if we do a covered lean to roof - and if so if it needs to go above and over the fence, or if I can move it 1.5ft from the fence and have snow dump infront of it?

Im in North NJ

 

[mowin]

Thats our fence, and the land on the other side of the fence is township swamp ground property, behind that is a cemetery.
Why would rain coming off of the roof cause issues?

Im in North NJ

Rain running off the roof hitting the ground will splash back on the fence, causing it to rot faster. Gutter on the low side will eliminate that. If the coop/run is up against the fence. Lack of sun will(because of the roof) hold moisture against the fence causing issues down the road. Fence maintenance in the long run should be something you should consider. Fences are not cheap, and neither is fence repair.

 

[ninamarie8253]

Rain running off the roof hitting the ground will splash back on the fence, causing it to rot faster. Gutter on the low side will eliminate that. If the coop/run is up against the fence. Lack of sun will(because of the roof) hold moisture against the fence causing issues down the road. Fence maintenance in the long run should be something you should consider. Fences are not cheap, and neither is fence repair.

So the fence is plastic so idk if it will rot per say. Gutters would be great yeah but again idk what that costs/how to cut/install that. Will all of these issues still apply?
Sounds like you're leaning towards a mesh wire roof for the fenced in run then yeah?

 

[mowin]

So the fence is plastic so idk if it will rot per say. Gutters would be great yeah but again idk what that costs/how to cut/install that. Will all of these issues still apply?
Sounds like you're leaning towards a mesh wire roof for the fenced in run then yeah?

Well that changes things. Vinal can't rot. It can mildew, but that cleans up.
I'd make sure the metal roof extends past the fence by a foot. Snow coming off the roof can build/pile up putting pressure against the fence causing it to crack.

 

[ninamarie8253]

Well that changes things. Vinal can't rot. It can mildew, but that cleans up.
I'd make sure the metal roof extends past the fence by a foot. Snow coming off the roof can build/pile up putting pressure against the fence causing it to crack.

KK thank you, so you truly think do the metal roof, let it go behind the fence (even if I put 1.5ft between the run and the fence, snow could still crack it?), and NOT do a flat/cheaper wire mesh roof? Now you all got me worried the town is gona consider it a 'shed' and have rules to go with how far apart it can be from the fence etc!

 

[mowin]

KK thank you, so you truly think do the metal roof, let it go behind the fence, and NOT do a flat/cheaper wire mesh roof? Now you all got me worried the town is gona consider it a 'shed' and have rules to go with how far apart it can be from the fence etc!

If you're worried about the town, I'd rethink where you are putting it. Keeping it in the yard and out of sight might be your best option.

 

[ninamarie8253]

If you're worried about the town, I'd rethink where you are putting it. Keeping it in the yard and out of sight might be your best option.

yes its in the far corner of the yard, farthest away from where we share property with our neighbors, along the woods. What would u do though, the taller metal roof lean to structure for an extra $250 (the roofing is expensive), or the flat metal wire at 6-7ft tall thats gona let snow through etc?

 

[ChickyCh00k]

yes its in the far corner of the yard, farthest away from where we share property with our neighbors, along the woods. What would u do though, the taller metal roof lean to structure for an extra $250 (the roofing is expensive), or the flat metal wire at 6-7ft tall thats gona let snow through etc?

Something to consider: if you go with the flat metal wire roof (and don't intend to cover it in any way - tarp, etc), the chickens will be cooped up (literally) any time there is inclement weather - I imagine there's quite a bit of that during NJ winters. From my (very limited) experience/knowledge, wet + cold + chickens = bad.

 

[mowin]

yes its in the far corner of the yard, farthest away from where we share property with our neighbors, along the woods. What would u do though, the taller metal roof lean to structure for an extra $250 (the roofing is expensive), or the flat metal wire at 6-7ft tall thats gona let snow through etc?

If I could afford it, metal roofing.