Chicken pen/run floor

[Sammster]

Can you take a pic from the east side showing the coop and how it meets the run?

Will that tarp roof hold up to snow load, pic of supports under tarp?
How does the water run off of it onto the coop?

The canopy over the pen is unfortunately canvas. We will add a heavy, vinyl tarp to the top for the winter, overlapping the coop. Actually, I think it would be a good idea, even before winter. The supports underneath are very strong, but if we get deep snow, I will brush the snow down. Today, we added a drip edge to the coop, where it meets the pen. DH also added a rubber compound along all the seams of the drip edge and around all the joins of the coop. He also added L-flashing over the doors to repel the runoff. I added roofing silicone to all the gaping crevices and door weather stripping around the doors. I still need to add some to the nesting box doors. This kit requires a lot of modifications.

 

[Sally PB]

I am in SE Michigan (garden zone 6).

Stop by the Michigan thread and say hi!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/michigan-thread-all-are-welcome.697050/page-5030

For the roof of my run last winter, I used heavy duty tarps from TSC, the black/silver ones. For support, they were over chicken wire over the metal tube frame from a green house. I broomed off the snow when it fell, and never had any issues with weight. Though last year was a light snow winter...

 

[aart]

The canopy over the pen is unfortunately canvas.

Does it shed water?
Framing looks good for snow load.
If you add a tarp for winter, I'd get one big enough to cover the coop too.

 

[Sammster]

Does it shed water?
Framing looks good for snow load.
If you add a tarp for winter, I'd get one big enough to cover the coop too.

It does shed water, but canvas doesn't weather well. I think the extra tarp will be necessary.Yes, will definitely get one large enough to cover the coop, too. We have a giant tarp we wrap our gazebo in. DH bought it on Amazon. It's super strong.

So.... about the bedding... what would be best for this shallow-floored coop? And the run?

 

[aart]

So.... about the bedding... what would be best for this shallow-floored coop?

As small as it is, maybe PDZ, right on the floor as there's not much space for poop boards.

And the run?

Wood chippings.

 

[Sammster]

Stop by the Michigan thread and say hi!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/michigan-thread-all-are-welcome.697050/page-5030

For the roof of my run last winter, I used heavy duty tarps from TSC, the black/silver ones. For support, they were over chicken wire over the metal tube frame from a green house. I broomed off the snow when it fell, and never had any issues with weight. Though last year was a light snow winter...

Ok, will do! Are you a Michiganian, too?
Thank you, I bought the coop from TSC, so I have some store credit accrued. Maybe I'll take a look!

 

[Sammster]

As small as it is, maybe PDZ, right on the floor as there's not much space for poop boards.


Wood chippings.

Thank you. I'll have to look up PDZ

 

[Sammster]

If you have a place to store a big pile of wood chippings from a tree trimmer,
that would be your best bet, IMO.

When you use wood clippings in the run ~ do you employ the deep method?

I appreciate all the advice. Thank you so much!

 

[Sammster]

Sand takes a lot of maintenance. You have to scoop poop very frequently and if it ever gets wet it stinks.

Thank you - good to know!

 

[aart]

When you use wood clippings in the run ~ do you employ the deep method?

Not really, no.
I'm not making garden soil, or I wouldn't use wood at all, just trying to break down the poops. I do add other dry plant matter at times.