Expanded Run Build

[Ted Brown]

We have had a super fall with the last two weeks in the teens Celsius. Today it ended with only a day and a bit notice - we are to get 20-25cm of snow overnight, started about 3pm.

I had removed the roof to do a better HC install. In a rush I finished up key bits of HC and then installed roofing membrane over the frame and HC. It is supported by 1" by 4 strapping every 16" so will shed a fair amount of snow I hope, a cleanup will be required.

I screwed to "hold in place" two 36" by 8' roof panels but decided the membrane wet was more than I felt comfortable with and left it. Will be interesting to see things in the morning.

 

[aart]

We have had a super fall with the last two weeks in the teens Celsius. Today it ended with only a day and a bit notice - we are to get 20-25cm of snow overnight, started about 3pm.

Yeah, it's over here too....no real snow yet tho.

 

[rayrose]

I had not heard of a foam that is "hard as a rock". I do know there are different types of foam with differing characteristics. I found this:

"Cementitious Insulation

As the name suggests, this form of insulation comes from cement. This brings some of the properties of cement to the final product (i.e. it is extremely rigid and tough). One version of this spray contains magnesium silicate and is designed to harden in the same way as concrete."

I searched at 4 big box sites, none had this as a product nor was there any "hardening foam" hits.

Infill for profiled metal roofing along the edges is a common problem and I agree that the thought of spraying something along the edge as a critter defense is very appealing. None of the foams I am familiar with are tough enough to repel mice, rats, squirrels, etc. (I include the modern spray foams used for whole and partial (eg roof) home insulation.

I would love to be educated on the specifics of your experience.

I didn't personally buy the product, the guys that installed the roof did. All I know is that it's expandable spray foam that dries hard. I keep feed in the run 24/7, and nothing has gotten through it. That's all I care about. The next time I see the guys, I'll ask them what they used.

 

[Ted Brown]

I got the 100 year old metal panels back on the run space roof frame (removed to improve predator and water intrusion protections); got 25-30cm of snow in the interim, now warming and mostly gone.

 

[jthornton]

Minimum previous install experience with 1/2" by 1/2" four foot high HC. Doing a good job is a lot of cutting, reattaching HC sections and careful critter proof installation.

I've been wondering what you have been up to...

The amazing thing about HC is it's not always straight and square. Dunno if you have ever seen welded wire mesh made before but it's an amazing process and if it gets a tiny big out of kilter then the rolls of mesh are not easy to work with. Then on top of that you add in framing that's not exactly perfect it can be a challenge for sure. But once your done it's a good feeling to have that level of protection for your birds.

JT

 

[jthornton]

It hardens like a rock, and will prevent small critters from getting
through those small areas.

Wood rats will eat metal... just saying copper anyway so foam of any kind is not much of a challenge for them. How do I know I have to replace the copper wiring in my truck a lot from wood rats eating it.

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

It has been a wicked weather month (ie variable) thus far and tomorrow will make it worse - we are forecast for 25-35mm (1 - 1 1/3 inches) of rain starting Christmas Eve. This will fall on frozen ground with very little snow so likely to have lots of water and then ice making life enjoyable for the Christmas holiday.

I have pretty much finished installing HC on the run walls, need to fasten up corners, carefully check for openings in obscure places and put wood 1" by 2"s on both sides along the seams where I have joined lengths of HC with hog tie rings. The temperatures are low enough that this sort of work is very unpleasant and I may defer some of it until Spring.

Today I installed tarps on the walls to exclude rain and snow. Once I had the south wall done there was an immediate change in the "feel" inside the run; seemed warmer although I think that was because of the wind being blocked.

My flock has been slow to use the expanded area, standard aversion to change and new things in their environment. A friend spent some time in the run spreading treats to entice them to explore and adjust to the change. When I originally installed their ramp from the coop I built a frame with roof to shed rain and snow. Part of that frame included bars at mid level to strengthen the frame; some birds have decided that these make perfect roost bars and are using them to peer down on the lower pecking order members.

 

[jthornton]

Looking good Ted!

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

Advice Please

Tarp the Run?

Thus far I have not tarped the HC that closes in the run area under the coop (I did last year). When it snows it filters through and leaves snow around the perimeter of the run area. The flock has several holes that they have dug for dirt baths, most are around the edges and get snowed on. (NB the larger run area (see pic above) is tarped.)

Am I better to tarp the under run HC to keep the snow out or leave it so they have light and air flowing through?

OK for dust bath?

A friend has this swim "dish" that has been offered up for use as a dust bath. I think it is about 48" across. I worry that because it is shallow and big it will accumulate bedding and not work well as a dust bath. Also it's footprint is big and will reduce the square footage available as run space.

Thoughts please.

 

[aart]

Looks like you could tarp off 2-3 sides under the coop and still have plenty of light and ventilation.
As long as they have a decent sandy dirt area that stays dry(and thus not frozen) for dust bathing.