Help! Run roofing ideas?

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Do you get snow in the winter? If so I would avoid a flat roof. If you don’t get snow then hardware cloth covered by a taught tarp will probably work though you still may want a bit of a pitch so the water runs off.

We are going to build a covered run but have to plan for snow. So we plan to use a pitched metal roof so that the snow will slide off the back and put a solid fence on that side to keep the snow from getting into the run portion too.

That's an idea (slant) because we do get snow.

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

50 ft what? 50 ft long? 50 sq ft? Some dimensions of your run (LXWXH) would be helpful.

50 feet long.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

This is a picture of the temporary run, new run is in progress. It will be 8 x 8 x 4 run. Made 4 x 4 panels using 1/2" x 1" welded wire. Will have panels on top, with 14" risers on top to slant the tarp. And a foot of wire attached to the bottom of panels in the ground.
Was going to use hardware cloth but none of the stores had it in stock. Hubby bought everything as my birthday present (b-day not until the 5th). Said it was early since he is on vacation & the holiday weekend so he can help me build it.
Here is the temporary run and what a new run panel looks like

 

[New2Chicks97]

That's an idea (slant) because we do get snow.

If you get snow then definitely you want some pitch to the roof. It would be a shame to build an awesome run only to have the snowload ruin it.

The shed we are revamping for our new coop has a pent roof design so that is what we will use for the run as well and just match them up. Pent roof designs work pretty well for snow provided you use the right materials and the right pitch.

 

[fldiver97]

For my first run I used those corrugated plastic or fiberglass sheets, slanted to rain and snow run off. Worked well

 

[Blingchix6]

I used welded wire fencing for the roof. Part of the run has sloped corrugated clear plastic panels, which is nice to let the light in. We get a lot of snow here in northeast Ohio, so a large part of the run is not covered. I put shade cloth up on the inside roof of the run this year due to the brutal heat; the shade cloth will keep snow from falling in. I also planted an autumn clematis up against the run 2 years ago, and it has grown to completely cover 12 feet of wall and a large part of the roof. The clematis and the rain cloth keep it fairly dry inside; the chickens are going to get wet but not soaked. They have a completely covered area they can use to keep dry. Good luck with your run! Your chickens will love you for it. PS I also used 6 inches of pea gravel for the floor of the run. Poops just melt right down into the gravel when you hose it down.

 

[aart]

No mater what you use to keep snow out, make sure it is fully supported underneath with framing strong enough to hold the snow weight.

Roofs have to be way steeper than you'll probably want to actually shed snow.

I've had wet snow stick enough to 14ga 2x4 fencing to almost crush it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Roofing it would actually be the most predator (and rain/snow) proof way to go, but I know that's not cost effective or ideal based on the set up sometimes.

HWC should work, but the depending on the climate the tarps might not hold up for very long, so take into account replacement costs. And you'll need to make sure to add structural support, as 50' long of any sort of wire mesh will add weight and may sag especially with the addition of any snowfall.

My run is topped with netting, which isn't as predator secure but does allow rain and snowfall to get through, which works for my climate.

 

[PirateGirl]

How wide is the run?

 

[blackdog043]

I used Tuftex SeaCoaster panels for my run roof. It has a 12/3 pitch so rain runs off and the little bit of snow we get isn't a problem. Depending on where your at in NC, you may need a stepper pitch than I have for snow. I'm 20 miles north of charlotte.