New Member: Roof questions about slope coop roof

[Mandy83Ala]

New member here! I will be getting 15 baby chicks in a couple weeks and I am building a new coop! 15 chicks: Wyandottes and Leghorns. I need some help determining the structure of the sloped roof for an 8x8 coop! I was thinking 2 feet higher on one side. 6' and 4'. Would this work? Zone 5 winters, lots of snow!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there Mandy and welcome to BYC!

I moved your thread to our Coop and Run Construction forums for more help. Good luck!

 

[black_cat]

I *think* that if you had 2/8 slope, that would be 3/12, so you're fine? @U_Stormcrow I'm trying here.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Mandy and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• How to start a new thread
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[3KillerBs]

It's wise of you to be thinking of snow load. I'm sure that no one enjoys having to shovel the chicken coop roof.

I don't know Illinois, but if I still lived in New England or western Pennsylvania I'd be thinking a 6/12 pitch and using metal roof instead of shingles if possible to help the snow slide down more easily. (Metal needs either plywood or insulation underneath to prevent condensation from dripping into the coop).

If you regularly get wet, sticky snow you might want to plan the layout of coop and run so that you can easily get to the lower side with your snow rake and make sure that the vents* are laid out in a way that snow can't block them and icicles won't freeze over them.

*Northern chicken keepers know more than I do, but excellent ventilation all year is critical to chickens' good health and the best ventilation is at the highest point.

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome to BYC!
You obviously don't have to have the snow slide off the chicken coop roof any more than it needs to slide off your house roof. The snow load (live load) impacts your load bearing structures. You will need 16" or 24" on center stud and rafter spacing. Your span with a single sided pitched roof would need 2x6 rafters. Make sure you use proper headers over the window and door openings.
You can look at basic construction in my coop article here for pictures of what I'm talking about.

 

[RojoMarz]

Our coop has a sloped metal roof. In the front part of the coop, where the roof is higher, We used a clear corrugated panel as a skylight. We also get lots of snow.

 

[Mandy83Ala]

It's wise of you to be thinking of snow load. I'm sure that no one enjoys having to shovel the chicken coop roof.

I don't know Illinois, but if I still lived in New England or western Pennsylvania I'd be thinking a 6/12 pitch and using metal roof instead of shingles if possible to help the snow slide down more easily. (Metal needs either plywood or insulation underneath to prevent condensation from dripping into the coop).

If you regularly get wet, sticky snow you might want to plan the layout of coop and run so that you can easily get to the lower side with your snow rake and make sure that the vents* are laid out in a way that snow can't block them and icicles won't freeze over them.

*Northern chicken keepers know more than I do, but excellent ventilation all year is critical to chickens' good health and the best ventilation is at the highest point.

I am building by myself and I struggle with the roof.

8x8 is the size so how much difference in height do I need from one side to the other? I was thinking 6feet on one side and 4feet on the other. Is this enough? 2 feet difference

 

[Mandy83Ala]

Welcome to BYC!
You obviously don't have to have the snow slide off the chicken coop roof any more than it needs to slide off your house roof. The snow load (live load) impacts your load bearing structures. You will need 16" or 24" on center stud and rafter spacing. Your span with a single sided pitched roof would need 2x6 rafters. Make sure you use proper headers over the window and door openings.
You can look at basic construction in my coop article here for pictures of what I'm talking about.

Thanks! Ill be using 2x6 rafters and 16" on center studs.

Do you think a 2 foot difference in height on each side is enough? 8x8 coop one side 6feet tall to the other side 4feet tall.

I really struggle with the roof pitch and I am building myself.

 

[3KillerBs]

I am building by myself and I struggle with the roof.

8x8 is the size so how much difference in height do I need from one side to the other? I was thinking 6feet on one side and 4feet on the other. Is this enough? 2 feet difference

This article might be more detail than you're wanting, but I feel more comfortable having a professional explain it.

https://inspectapedia.com/roof/Roof_Slope_Pitch_Definitions.php