Coop pics. thoughts please

[Leigti]

I have poop boards under the roost and clean off daily, it only takes a few minutes, it's so easy.
Some people leave it for days/weeks then it becomes a chore, next time you go to the toilet don't flush it for a few days or even a few weeks lol.

I have a poop board under my roosts. A thin layer of PDZ. I clean it out once a week. No problems. I have 12 chickens.

 

[Ted Brown]

A couple of thoughts, these more from reading than personal experience:

• I note you are in Northern NY, have read that steel roofs can cause condensation which can then drip.
• I see open holes in various places particularly around the roof area. I would be worried about predator intrusion.

A solution to both possible issues would be to remove the tin, then cover with OSB, replace tin over the OSB.

 

[Dukes7779]

So can you stand up in your coop or do you have to bend over? I'm at an age now where I think about those things...

I can stand for sure! Peak of ceiling is 8'

 

[Dukes7779]

A couple of thoughts, these more from reading than personal experience:

• I note you are in Northern NY, have read that steel roofs can cause condensation which can then drip.
• I see open holes in various places particularly around the roof area. I would be worried about predator intrusion.

A solution to both possible issues would be to remove the tin, then cover with OSB, replace tin over the OSB.

Thanks for the condensation info. I will monitor closely. However given the run and coop have a continuous roof I would have to add the OSB to both given the overlap and to avoid nitpicky work having a lip to seal if I didn't do the entire roof. I think/hope the ventilation from the windows, eaves, and ridge would eliminate any moisture causing condensation. Additionally, the roof has been on the coop/run since October (very little work done after that given the weather) and I never noticed any condensation from then until now. If anything I'd have to put OSB or rigid insulation between the rafters. At the eave, the open holes are where the blocking that's on top of the wall top plate meet the wavy tin roof so the openings are about 1/2-3/4" at the peak of the "wave". Regardless, I have considered sealing this off somehow and drilling holes in the blocking to get air in at the eaves.

Thanks

 

[Ted Brown]

@Dukes7779

Again this is from my reading not experience. Weasel, mink and perhaps rats can penetrate holes larger than 1/2". All of these will be present in your area.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/weasel-proofing-coop-and-cage.466593/#post-5909061

I have done a lot of reading on here about predators (am in the coop build process now) and I have seen nothing beside foam based "blocks" that can be used to plug the "waves". Useful for air penetration but will not stop predators.

 

[gtaus]

I can stand for sure! Peak of ceiling is 8'

Well done!

 

[gtaus]

...I have done a lot of reading on here about predators (am in the coop build process now) and I have seen nothing beside foam based "blocks" that can be used to plug the "waves". Useful for air penetration but will not stop predators.

Home Depot sells solid closure strips for metal roofs. I don't know if that means they are made out of metal, wood, or whatever. They also sell other foam closure strips, which I assume you would not want if predator proofing is your goal.

I would think you could make your own closure strip by using a 1X4" trim board, tracing out the metal "waves and ridges" and using a jigsaw to cut out the wood. You could tack up that piece either inside or outside to fill the gaps. Close counts and it would not have to be a perfect fit to keep out predators.

I have thought about this issue myself. Since I live in northern Minnesota, I am concerned about the metal roof (possible) condensation in the winter. My current plan is to make the roof out of OSB and probably just use shingles. But I also have a bunch of leftover plastic polycarbonate roof panels that I might put over the OSB instead of the shingles. I am trying to reduce my costs as much as possible, so I am using mostly whatever I have leftover from previous projects before I buy new.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm also concerned about the openings that are larger than 1/2" square. It would be best to fix these before some rat or weasel invades your coop. I think that the hardware cloth needs to be secured better too. How about screwing in some wood strips over all the edges?
Mary

 

[Dukes7779]

I'm also concerned about the openings that are larger than 1/2" square. It would be best to fix these before some rat or weasel invades your coop. I think that the hardware cloth needs to be secured better too. How about screwing in some wood strips over all the edges?
Mary

I agree with wood strips over the edges of the HC. I have added this to the windows since the pics.

Also, I have decided to add HC over the areas at the tops of the top plates where gaps exist from the waves in the roof. Weather stinks today, work and pics tomorrow hopefully.

 

[Dukes7779]

Some updated pics. HC apron is down. Opened up their pop door after several days getting used to the coop. Put a porch on for them after seeing some here on BYC! They love to porch sit! About half are venturing out to the run today. Should I keep the water and food indoors or put it out during the day to encourage them to go out? Ultimately will have the water outdoors only at all times. Thanks!