Does the code account for differences in the type of structure, or is the depth the same for everything? I’ve been trying to find more specific information online, but all I find is requirements for building houses, retaining walls and other such things... which have got to have different needs than a chicken run, right?
It has to do with the depth the frost typically penetrates the soil. It has to do with the potential for frost to get under the footers and heave them up.
I was wondering about this too...but I know she's very busy.
Probably close to same in MA, but for a run?
Yeah, I'm very curious and I can't find anything with the search feature, but this isn't urgent so I'll wait.
I just checked, the frost line for MA is 30 inches. Not as bad - wohoo! Still very deep though. Now I understand the reasoning behind it and it makes sense... but damn, that's gonna be a lot of digging! I'm curious to see how deep other people's footings are, just for the run, and how they've held up over time. Hard to find such specific information with the search feature though. Maybe I'll start a new thread to ask...
Yes, the rocks! I wonder if I can hire somebody to just dig the holes for me... hmm. Trying to keep cost down but this might end up being necessary.You might consider hiring a professional fencer to assist. One of the biggest problems in digging holes in New England is the bounty of rocks. I've installed my own fences and sometimes they were easy, but then sometimes after digging down 18 inches you hit a rock the size of a Volkswagen. As for the deck anchors you showed, if you use them a) they will not go through a large boulder and b) they come in two sizes at least, the short one is about 24 inches and I have experienced heaving with the short one and c) once pounded into the ground you will likely not be able to pull them out. Good luck with your run.
You could try speaking to a small, local contractor and see if they can help you. The professional installers have specialized equipment that can drill through the boulders.
I was just going to suggest an auger. We ended up buying on on Amazon for about the same $$. You know... just in case we need to expand down the road.
Thanks! I would love to see your irregular-shaped design/build if you have pictures! I haven't completely given up on the idea of making it an irregular shape, though I admit it will make my life easier if I just do two rectangles instead... Seeing other irregular runs that have worked out would be very useful!I was just going to suggest an auger. We ended up buying on on Amazon for about the same $$. You know... just in case we need to expand down the road.
We're working on our abnormally-shaped run right now as well and doing a tinted polycarbonate roof on some of it. We're also running gutters under the ends of them to feed a rain barrel waterer. It gets tricky when they're not square, but we do what we have to do. I love the design you made!
