Chicken run build teaser...

[aart]

Sounds like you've got the idea!

In a pinch, I guess I could always use the one my husband has for the house.

Very caaarrrefuuulllly....especially if it has a metal blade. That poly could shatter in freezing weather.

This is what I cobbled together after one shed partially collapsed and it had a tarp on it.
Blade is 1/8" stiff plastic, window squeegee handle socket...
...it's a bit fragile, but does the job.

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you! From my quick calculation, that looks like about 18" spacing on the rafters so I'll double up what I have... I may actually put in more purlins than it shows too. Better safe than sorry

Thankfully, the highest point is only 6.5' so it shouldn't be much trouble. But a dry run couldn't hurt! I bought this one and I love it:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DKQZCS/?tag=backy-20

In a pinch, I guess I could always use the one my husband has for the house.

I installed polycarb panels on my old run roof. I used 2x4s for the purlins and set them flush with the tops of the rafters. You still want to double up those rafters. The purlin spacing is generally not more than 2 feet apart. Don't forget to buy the closure strips and screws with gaskets.
I just used a push broom to drag off the snow. Once some of the polycarb is showing, the sun did a fine job of heating up the roofing and the snow slides off very easily. I had 20" of snowfall in one night and it held up just fine.

 

[Sarahs Hens]

Thank you both for these great ideas!!

@DobieLover How long have you had those panels? I was wondering about the durability of the SunTuf long term. We get down to -20 in winter... I've seen what that does to roads over time so I was curious how long I could expect to have them.

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you both for these great ideas!!

@DobieLover How long have you had those panels? I was wondering about the durability of the SunTuf long term. We get down to -20 in winter... I've seen what that does to roads over time so I was curious how long I could expect to have them.

I didn't use SunTuf. I used Tuftex. Not sure if the polycarbonate is the same grade and thickness between these two different roof panels. I've had them for a little over a year so they've run the full spectrum of our glorious NY weather!
I tore down my old run and reused the polycarb panels on the run extension off the back of my new coop. The panels were in fine shape, still not brittle and cut just fine with the blade reversed on my versacut circular saw.

 

[Helloworld]

@Helloworld Hahahaha.... I knew that might illicit some chuckles. Its funny just earlier today I was looking at the space next to the coop and thought "hmmmm.... I could probably push that out and add on another 16 sqft of coop space..... "

But, in all seriousness I do have a hard upper limit.. My town (despite being mostly farms) only allows me to have 6... booo.

Oh yes.. My husband and I have come up with a skunk mitigation plan that involves the hose and a night in the shed lol.

@HopeSprings you're right it's better safe than sorry. It's waaaay easier to add it at this stage then try to reconstruct a caved in roof when it's -15 and dark.

See its already starting lol