Ideas on how to attach the run

[sled483]

I am turning the 8x8 shed into a chicken coop with a large attached run. I want the run to include the double door as well as the left side wall. It's going the be about 20x10. I can't figure out how to attach the run to the wall with the doors however.
I'm going to cover the run with the plastic roofing material. I want it to look nice. I was thinking of just having the front area flat. I'm just worried about snow. I'm not sure how to make a slanted roof attaching to a gambrel roof and still have it look nice. Here's a sketch on what I'm trying to do. If anyone has any pictures I would really appreciate it. My brain just can't figure out how to make this work. Sorry the drawing is so bad. No artistic skills in that area.

 

[jetdog]

I have no idea but i will say just make sure you have enough pitch for the snow load we get here in Massachusetts, if you can't reach the snow to get it off"you know what will happen"Keep the pictures coming as you progress.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is that a metal shed or wood? I can't tell for sure. At the corners where you are attaching the run, do you have wooden or metal posts to attach to?

What wire are you using for the run?

 

[misbhaven]

i had the oppisite problem i had a dog keenel and had to make a coop

the run but pretty much the same principle



this are all the picture we have but had to attach wood to mimic the shape,and plug up the end the coop only goes to the straight board...you could attach a board right across above the and down the sides to attach your run.... personally i like dog kennels cheap to find on craigs list etc just have to add fence at the bottom to apron it a little, and something over the top...this was a mini one for bantams.

 

[sled483]

Ridgerunner, it is a wood shed. I will be using 2x4 and 1x4 from a large deck I will be taking apart. I'm going to use hardware cloth for the wire. I haven't taken up the deck yet but if memory serves they are at least 8 feet long possibly 12. The deck may even have some 4x4 not sure. Of course I'm ok having to buy more wood if I need to. I have woods behind my house that is teaming with wildlife and hawks over head.

 

[Alex41]

You could put an automatic coop door in one of the existing doors. That way if you need to clean out you still have the large doors to open.

Alex

 

[Jakoda]

my coop is a dutch barn like yours. I have double doors leading into the run and double doors in the front..Here are some pics.

My husband built the roof ABOVE the double doors, A framed roof, made for a 'high' roof for the run, but like you, wasn't wanting a flat roof and I wanted those double doors in the run area. My pop door he cut out to the right of the double doors. The roofing I used is Ondura purchased at lowers.

 

[sled483]

Jakoda that is just what I needed to see. Now I know I can make the 3x8 area like yours and the rest, main chicken run area similar to this and it will tie in nicely.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I was thinking of a roof like Jakoda showed. That looks nice. It does need to be sloped so rain and snow will not stay up there. If you don’t slope it, rain will set up there and leak through.

One problem you may have is that your run is not centered on your building. You have that 3’ on the side, so it won’t be symmetrical. You mentioned appearance is important to you. Might be something for you to think about.

I’m not sure you are going to get a lot of good from that 3’ on the side of the building. If you want it 11 feet wide, I’d suggest starting the run on the bottom left corner of your coop and putting the gate there.

I’d also suggest you consider using that chain link fence on the top of your drawing as a side of your run. How are you going to manage grass and weeds in that 3’ wide area? I see that as a potential maintenance problem.

To attach the wire to the building, I suggest you put the wire next to the building and cover that with a 2x4. If you use 3” screws and get the screws through the openings in the wire and tighten it down, it will firmly attach the wire to your building. By painting that, you can get an attractive connection with the ends of the wire covered.

Good luck with it.

 

[sled483]

The 3x8 in the front is for a few reasons. I think if I turned the shed to the side so the double doors opened to the run it would look strange from the street. I live on Main Street and this is going to be very visible. I also have 3 small dogs. That's why I fenced in the back yard. I want to be able to clean out the coop without worrying about the dogs and chickens coming in contact.
I'll give some thought to the 3 feet around. When the shed is installed they require the 3 feet clearance all around. I thought I might want to be able to get around the whole coop/run in case of repairs. I hadn't thought of the up keep of that area. I'll keep that in mind.
I thought of using the fence as two of the run walls but I think I would have to add hardware cloth around it as well. The holes would be too large for predators to get the chickens.
The chickens will be locked up every night. However the run is pretty much their area they will have access to 95% of the time. I will only be able to let them into the fenced in yard when I'm home and the dogs are locked in the house.
I want the run to be as big as possible but I can't spend a fortune on it. I may build it in stages. I am definitely using screws to attach the cloth. A sloped roof is the most important due to the snow we get in Massachusetts every winter.
Lots to think about.