Coop Run Coverage Questions

[dalcombright]

I am looking to build my coop in the coming weeks, new to chickens and the like. I have 8 chicks coming in on 4/4.

This question is more geared towards my run and questions about the coverage. To get it out of the way, it will be fully covered (hawks etc.), but my question is around the type of roof to use.

My run will be 16' L x 5' W, 6' x 5' of that will be under the coop (raising it 3'). For the remaining 10' I have a few options but sunlight is my main concern with each option.

1. Least sun: Continue the peaked roof of the coop out over the entire 10' left (solid roof)
2. Most sun: Hardware Cloth cover the remaining 10' (rain concern, lots of sunlight)
3. Middle ground: Extend my roof line 5' and then hardware cloth the remaining 5' (to allow some sunlight through)

Keep in mind, these will be free range birds when we are home and around. I am leaning towards #3, unless rain isn't a concern then might do #2. #1 will look the best but I would be concerned with the sunlight, or lack of sunlight.

 

[jthornton]

That's a pretty narrow run, if you have room 8' x 16' would be much better. Chickens need space to get away from bullies and things to dodge behind when needed to avoid that peck on the head from the boss chicken. I covered my run with tin and made a pitched roof, as an after thought I extended out one side and wished I'd have built it with large over hangs all the way around. That would help with wind blown rain a bit. The sun mostly shines on the sides unless the southern exposure is blocked by a building or something. A photo of the area would help a lot to get better ideas.

JT

 

[dalcombright]

That's a pretty narrow run, if you have room 8' x 16' would be much better...A photo of the area would help a lot to get better ideas.
JT

I can get a photo this weekend after I clear the area, but essentially it will be "cut" into the woods from the edge of my cleared property. The area will get decent sun throughout the day (albeit my property is covered by 100' pine trees all over). But if sides are all that are needed for sun, then I would just roof the entire thing for rain protection.

As for the size, I was just basing it off the 8-10sq a chicken recommendation, with this coop being at the 10 mark. I can definitely bump it out a little, but that throws everything else off for expanding the roof how I'd like it. That said I could also go 6' x 16' and have the coops roof "salt box" style off the side of the coop.

 

[Spartan22]

I had similar dilemma when I was building my coop and run, I partially covered the run with clear corrugated roofing and the rest was hardware cloth/chicken wire but the second year learned that the rain kept on muddying up the run and in turn muddied the coop and the eggs in the nests.
Here’s my set up at that time and changed it to totally covered now.

 

[PirateGirl]

Whichever you choose, I'd advise to make sure you can stand fully in the run. Also it sounds as if you plan to allow the chickens access to the space beneath the coop, make sure you can fully access this space as well, maybe an access panel on one side under the coop.

 

[Ms Clucky]

We used double wire on roof of run, but we have problems with rain. I was going to wrap tarps around plywood and put in on top when it rained, but that would be pretty heavy. Maybe pitched roof for the run and have a tarp rolled up so when it starts to rain you can just go out there and roll it out over it.

 

[PirateGirl]

I guess I don't see why rain is an issue when the chickens can hang out in and/or under the coop already maybe it depends how much rain you get

 

[Spartan22]

I guess I don't see why rain is an issue when the chickens can hang out in and/or under the coop already maybe it depends how much rain you get

WE have more rain in the Midwest and eastern part of the country than Colorado I guess, it wasn’t really an issue of chicken getting wet it’s the run being muddy. My run was always dry except the extended run that is not solid roofed, we don’t wash our eggs and we want it clean and not muddy during rainy season (spring/summer) muddy chicken feet are muddy eggs. The poster is just gathering infos and advice.

 

[Spartan22]

@dalcombright hopefully this might help you out, clear roofing allows plenty of sunshine and lighting during winter yet protects chicken from rain/snow and hawks. This is 5 yrs old coop run and it’s still standing pretty good without issues even when mini tornado hits us the 2nd yr. I love the fact I can walk in and out easy in both coop and run.

 

[PirateGirl]

Ah, thanks, yeah, it rains here but the ground will be dry in 24 hours or less.

I vote for covered with a proper sloped roof, snow will slide off as well if/when you get it. Pay attention to human door location in relation to the roof slope, you don't want snow sliding off and blocking the door/access or you getting dropped on by the rain running off whenever you want to go in there. Tarps deteriorate with uv exposure and wind and it may be worth contracting something more permant. I like your idea of extending the roofline of the coop all the way out. It's more work initially but will be worth it in the long run!