Chicken Run Foundation Over Hardware Cloth

[CrookedCoopAz]

I tried 6 mil plastic sheeting vapor barrier for wrapping the sides of the run - it can work for a few months. I've been really pleased about the transparent tarp.

After a while, mold grows/dirt gets stuck on the tarp and reduces tranparency (at least where I live). But it's still better than a solid color - I have tree cover to keep it cool. I've taken the tarp down, scrubbed it off, and reinstalled, and I've also tried to scrub in place. An anti-fungal rinse might work better, like the stuff they put on roofs, like Spray & Forget, but I didn't want the chemicals in my yard. So soap and water it was.

here's an example of my winter setup to cut down on biting winds thru the run. I have an enclosed coop/run combo, so they're in it 24/7, and I wanted to maintain ventilation but cut out the velocity. It worked well, and I removed it once weather was warm again. It was a warmer December day here - I propped the bottom open along half of the coop.

This is a fantastic idea for keeping their new run dry. We originally didn't plan to do so, but after reading so many ideas and suggestions we are opting to do it. Our winds start mid fall and don't stop til mid spring. So having something that would hold up in those would be a benefit. As for my coop itself, all the open areas will have the hard plastic clear pvc roofing panels. The previous owner of the coop used those and they held up in the winds, rain and snow and kept the coop dry, they were just damaged during the move and I needed to order new ones.

 

[CrookedCoopAz]

Do you have a bunch of digging rodents and predators in your area?

I see you mention changing it up isn't an option, but personally I'd take it out in favor of a perimeter skirt, mostly because it's 1/4" HC used on the ground. 1/4" HC is only 23-ga thick vs 1/2" HC at 19-ga, and with ground contact/being buried will deteriorate much faster than normal, and make potentially hazardous surface when they dig down to it after a few years. If the ground is full of lava rocks and stones, I don't see many predators being able to penetrate that even if they wanted to. I'd be much more concerned with the snow loads vs that pole structure if you're trying to winterize it. I'd also have the same concerns about the main structure, since it does not look like it's built to support snow loads on that roof and wall framing.

I have 1/2" HC under the floor of my coop structure only, and 6" is about the shallowest I buried it on the shallow-end, to keep chicken feet away from it; on occasion they've dug down to it, but they also have a bigger run without any HC underneath and they can dig freely there. We have heavy mole activity everywhere in our property, and in old coop rodents started using those holes and tunnels go get in/out of the run; more rodents = more rattle snakes that I definitely don't want around. I also have dry CA climate with no snow and hardly any rain and a solid roof overhead, so less concern about it deteriorating.

I use a base of wood chips + various organics in my runs. Everything mixes up with native soil below over time, I just keep adding more organics. A few years of chicken activity + wood chips has allowed me to now be able to easily dig 12" down in the run with little effort, in what used to be hard ground because of lots of decomposed granite. Now at a point where I've been harvesting topsoil/compost blend from my run to use in gardening.

Thank you for your input! It's appreciated!

To be honest, when we assembled the run, the last thing we thought about was our future snow loads. After discussing with my husband yesterday, I got that blank look, oh crap face. Details matter, and that is one we overlooked. Hard to think about snow when it's sunny and 80 degrees.

We have decided to add additional wood framing around the metal run to help support for the snow. The main coop is reinforced with 2x4 throughout and enough support under the roof that the snow loads are not a concern. It know it looks kinda janky from the outside, but I promise its solid, and it took 5 grown men to move it.

We decided to do a 4" layer of wood chips on top of our 6" layer of soil. We will see how the girls handle it and adjust as necessary.

We do have predators in abundance and we have neighbors who lose their flocks regularly. We opt'd to fully enclose to be safe, rather than sorry. Overkill? Maybe, but it makes us feel better.

 

[FunClucks]

Thank you for your input! It's appreciated!

To be honest, when we assembled the run, the last thing we thought about was our future snow loads. After discussing with my husband yesterday, I got that blank look, oh crap face. Details matter, and that is one we overlooked. Hard to think about snow when it's sunny and 80 degrees.

We have decided to add additional wood framing around the metal run to help support for the snow. The main coop is reinforced with 2x4 throughout and enough support under the roof that the snow loads are not a concern. It know it looks kinda janky from the outside, but I promise its solid, and it took 5 grown men to move it.

We decided to do a 4" layer of wood chips on top of our 6" layer of soil. We will see how the girls handle it and adjust as necessary.

We do have predators in abundance and we have neighbors who lose their flocks regularly. We opt'd to fully enclose to be safe, rather than sorry. Overkill? Maybe, but it makes us feel better.

I fully enclosed mine too. Haven't regretted it once. Not one predator loss in 4 years. We don't have digging predators here, so we did everything but the ground in the run. Nice wide 3 ft apron keeps the predators out. Keep any opening into your coop or run at 1/2" or less, and you should be good.

Good luck framing out your roof! The more angled, the better the snow and ice will slide right off.

We get eggs nearly year round where I live because they have as much sunlight as they can get. Keeping daylight at least 10 hrs or more per day is key.

Please post pics of your roof build as you get them, and as you get things finished. Now I'm really curious to see how things go for you guys. Good luck!!!

 

[perkolator]

Thank you for your input! It's appreciated!

To be honest, when we assembled the run, the last thing we thought about was our future snow loads. After discussing with my husband yesterday, I got that blank look, oh crap face. Details matter, and that is one we overlooked. Hard to think about snow when it's sunny and 80 degrees.

We have decided to add additional wood framing around the metal run to help support for the snow. The main coop is reinforced with 2x4 throughout and enough support under the roof that the snow loads are not a concern. It know it looks kinda janky from the outside, but I promise its solid, and it took 5 grown men to move it.

We decided to do a 4" layer of wood chips on top of our 6" layer of soil. We will see how the girls handle it and adjust as necessary.

We do have predators in abundance and we have neighbors who lose their flocks regularly. We opt'd to fully enclose to be safe, rather than sorry. Overkill? Maybe, but it makes us feel better.

Glad to hear you'll be making a few upgrades for the snow. Coming outside to see a collapsed coop/run from snow, has to be one of the most horrifying things to see.

I still have concerns over the wood coop structure even though it's 2x4 construction - the low pitch of that roof will likely hold a considerable volume of snow.

4" of wood chips will be fine for now. You can always add more. Many people just add more materials through the year as the absorbent chunky wood gets mixed up with the soil and the fines below.