My New Coop...step by step

[tracecom]

Will you be leaving the top open near the chicken wire for air or will you be closing that up a little more? I also have this area between the roof and coop walls so I'm not sure if I should leave it open or if that will allow to much of a draft during winter.

My coop is in northeast Mississippi, and the winters are mostly mild, so I am planning to leave it open for ventilation all year long. I don't think it will be too drafty because all the air flow should be between the rafters, and therefore above the chickens. But if necessary, I can stuff some insulation between the rafters from the outside, and craft a more permanent solution next spring.

 

[norcalcoast]

coop is looking good man just finished my 8x4 check my profile. was very fun to build. knocked it out in 3 very long days by myself after working graveyard shift at my regular job.

 

[aart]

More later.

What a great coop!!

I'd suggest adding some screws with washers on that hardware cloth...staples might not hold up against a determined raccoon.

 

[tracecom]

What a great coop!!

I'd suggest adding some screws with washers on that hardware cloth...staples might not hold up against a determined raccoon.

Thanks for the compliment and the suggestion.

 

[tracecom]

No more blue tarp.

My friend, Larry, and I installed the metal roofing today. We started at 5:30 a.m. to avoid the heat, and finished at 9:00 a.m. I still have to install some fascia boards on the ends of the rafters, and a trim board on each of the fly rafters. Then, five more screws on the north and five on the south end of the roof. I also plan to add a gutter on the low side (west) to catch rainwater. Even though I have water available, I still plan to have a catchment system to water the flock.

Here's a photo of the new roof as we left it this morning.

 

[supercoops]

I have an awning like that and it leaks at the screw connection joints. I tried caulk and it still leaks. roofing expands in the summer and shrinks in the winter. Combine that with wind velocity. and the seals get stressed out. So how do you keep the roof sealed or do you just accept the leaks? I'm just saying I haven't seen one that doesn't leak, but I know it's used in housing, therefore, there must be a long term solution to the problem.

 

[tracecom]

I have an awning like that and it leaks at the screw connection joints. I tried caulk and it still leaks. roofing expands in the summer and shrinks in the winter. Combine that with wind velocity. and the seals get stressed out. So how do you keep the roof sealed or do you just accept the leaks? I'm just saying I haven't seen one that doesn't leak, but I know it's used in housing, therefore, there must be a long term solution to the problem.

It hasn't been rained on yet, so I don't know if I will have a problem. There is a 15 degree slope to the roof, so water will run off pretty fast and maybe that will help. Worst case is that I have to put a dollop of clear silicone on each screw head.

 

[supercoops]

It hasn't been rained on yet, so I don't know if I will have a problem. There is a 15 degree slope to the roof, so water will run off pretty fast and maybe that will help. Worst case is that I have to put a dollop of clear silicone on each screw head.

Possibly rubber o-rings or washers would work. Maybe about 30 durometer hardness. I wouldn't go too soft.

 

[tracecom]

The screws I used have built-in rubber washers; they are made specifically for use with metal roofing attached to wood decking. http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=18744

It came a driving rain last night and there were no leaks; I don't expect any problems.

 

[tracecom]

As I posted above, it came a driving rain last night with wind from the north, and the new awnings did the trick. (See pix in post 27.) No rainwater in the coop despite the windows being wide open.

It is going to be cool here today and tomorrow, so I will be able to do some trim work.