Help with roof design

[ukcatsgrl21]

Hi everyone!

So I'm designing a chicken run for between my shed and fence. It is a 4 ft tall run that is 7 ft x 16 ft. My biggest question involves roofing. With it being so large and only having a gate on one side I was wanting a slightly sloped roof that could be on hinges so that we can get in and clean more easily. Any thoughts on what to use? I obviously wouldn't want it too heavy but also want it to be secure. Any other ideas?

 

[ukcatsgrl21]

Hi everyone!

So I'm designing a chicken run for between my shed and fence. It is a 4 ft tall run that is 7 ft x 16 ft. My biggest question involves roofing. With it being so large and only having a gate on one side I was wanting a slightly sloped roof that could be on hinges so that we can get in and clean more easily. Any thoughts on what to use? I obviously wouldn't want it too heavy but also want it to be secure. Any other ideas?

Below is a picture of the progress so far just to give an idea of the site/design. Thanks!

 

[DobieLover]

There is no picture.
Why not make it 6 ft tall on on side and 6.5 get on the other instead so you can walk in it and just put a solid pitched roof on it?

 

[ukcatsgrl21]

There is no picture.
Why not make it 6 ft tall on on side and 6.5 get on the other instead so you can walk in it and just put a solid pitched roof on it?

It should be there now. I'm trying to keep it discrete from neighbors. May be an option eventually once my trees get bigger

 

[raingarden]

Consider making it head high so you can walk inside to clean, change water, push around a wheel barrow or do whatever. Working from the outside with 4 ft high and 7 ft wide will not be convenient even if you can figure out a hinged roof.

@texsuze has a heavy netting for sale that will cover the whole thing down to the ground with 6 to 8 feet of head space. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/aggressive-hawk-and-pen-security.1540596/#post-26011335
With 2x2 wooden posts for support it will be less than a hundred bucks for the whole job.

 

[ukcatsgrl21]

Consider making it head high so you can walk inside to clean, change water, push around a wheel barrow or do whatever. Working from the outside with 4 ft high and 7 ft wide will not be convenient even if you can figure out a hinged roof.

@texsuze has a heavy netting for sale that will cover the whole thing down to the ground with 6 to 8 feet of head space. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/aggressive-hawk-and-pen-security.1540596/#post-26011335
With 2x2 wooden posts for support it will be less than a hundred bucks for the whole job.

Would this be enough to keep predators out? Also I'm planning on doing like 2 inches of pea gravel then 4 inches of coarse sand; would that need more protection from the elements that a net wouldn't provide?

 

[DobieLover]

It should be there now. I'm trying to keep it discrete from neighbors. May be an option eventually once my trees get bigger

I know you're not going to like what I'm going to write but it is in the best interest of you and the chickens....
Take the coop out, remove the pea gravel, hardware cloth and landscape fabric. Cut the hardware cloth into 30" wide strips and securely attach it to your base 2x10s about 5-6" up from the bottom edge and again at the bottom edge then push the hardware cloth flat down to the ground and spread it out flat on the ground and secure the outer edge with HD landscape pins. Like this:

Then just leave it. In time, the grass will grow up through it. If you have a spot where the grass doesn't grow well you can cover it with soil and/or mulch.
Then just spread wood chips, dry leave, pine straw or whatever dry organic material you have down inside the run. The pea gravel will make a huge mess as you can't clean it well and the sand will have to sifted frequently. When you use dry organic matter the chickens scratch around in it and mix it all together and the poop load slowly composts and the area should also drain better.
Are you permitted chickens in your neighborhood? Are there ordinances on the structures that you can build for them?

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm trying to keep it discrete from neighbors.

Are chickens legal where you are?

If so, you should design a walk-in run to make keeping them a happier experience. If it's hard to clean and maintain your bird they'll turn into a chore instead of a joy.

 

[ukcatsgrl21]

I know you're not going to like what I'm going to write but it is in the best interest of you and the chickens....
Take the coop out, remove the pea gravel, hardware cloth and landscape fabric. Cut the hardware cloth into 30" wide strips and securely attach it to your base 2x10s about 5-6" up from the bottom edge and again at the bottom edge then push the hardware cloth flat down to the ground and spread it out flat on the ground and secure the outer edge with HD landscape pins. Like this:
View attachment 3207413
Then just leave it. In time, the grass will grow up through it. If you have a spot where the grass doesn't grow well you can cover it with soil and/or mulch.
Then just spread wood chips, dry leave, pine straw or whatever dry organic material you have down inside the run. The pea gravel will make a huge mess as you can't clean it well and the sand will have to sifted frequently. When you use dry organic matter the chickens scratch around in it and mix it all together and the poop load slowly composts and the area should also drain better.
Are you permitted chickens in your neighborhood? Are there ordinances on the structures that you can build for them?

I was putting 2 inches of pea gravel first then 4 inches of coarse sand. Will this work okay? Our city allows them but HOA does not. However, we live at the very end of our neighborhood and our neighbors have had chickens for 2-3 years without any issues. But to keep it hidden more is why I'm having issues with roofing.

 

[ukcatsgrl21]

Are chickens legal where you are?

If so, you should design a walk-in run to make keeping them a happier experience. If it's hard to clean and maintain your bird they'll turn into a chore instead of a joy.

The HOA doesn't allow them I figured a hinged roof would allow me to walk in when it needs to be cleaned