Questions on polycarb roof and gravel run

[Life is Good!]

We've used the polycarbonate panels on both our coops. One was built in 2010, the other in 2014 (chicken math).

We used the 'white' on an overhanging roof structure adjacent to the coop (part of the run) - it does block a fair amount of sunlight...but that's what we needed it for. It's still white. It's held up fabulously.

We used the 'smoky' and 'clear' on the roof of our main coop. The clear does let in a LOT of light - and my hens lay year round - is it the extra light? Not sure. The 'smoky' is on the part of the roof not under the tree - to provide some shade - which it does do nicely but if a rainy day, the hens aren't so eager to leave their bed, it does shade very well.

My only suggestion - if you are installing with more than 1 person - Do NOT take the 'this side up' tags off until AFTER installation. At least two of our clear panels are installed upside down - and in the summertime, the coop becomes an oven because the filter side is on the wrong side. If the darn thing wasn't so tall, I'd fix it. But it is. So I just put fans in the windows instead (yes, there is electrical out to the coop - I highly recommend it if you are in the northern states (heated waterers)).

Yes, the panels do collect leaves/twigs/debris - which either stains the roof or gathers in the 'valleys' until I clear it away. Yes, my roof is stained from the tannins in the maple leaves. Do I mind? Not really...I'm too busy looking at my hens - not their roof! LOL.

Yes I installed cross-bracing every 18" along the panel (between the roof rafters) to support snow load. Yes, under a VERY heavy, wet, large snowfall - there was deflection in the panels - but not permanent. It did seem to 'spring' back after the snow melted. The snow also cleared off some of the tannins from the leaves too! If I build another coop (I see nothing, I say nothing!) - I'd put the bracing every 12" instead of 18...but I'm not building another coop....I'm not building another coop....I'm not building another coop (if I keep repeating it, it'll come true, right?!)...!

 

[Matilda Belle]

I used polycarbonate roofing from Home Depot and went with green just because i wanted to provide them with a bit more shade. I didn't roof the entire run because I think they do need some sun for dust bathing.

The only thing I have on the floor in my run is pine shavings to prevent mud and keep it clean.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My issue with the roofing is that it sweats like crazy and makes like it's raining inside even with the rest of my patio FULLY open for ventilation.

Beyond that, I agree that if you need to make a base of gravel might be OK. But I would go with adding the organic material as suggested. I also don't do deep litter (I clean as many poops as I can see)... but the general concept is to build up the run so it's spongy and more like the forest floor. I use shavings from my brooders, pine needles, leaves, grass clippings... it's a continual process of renewal for me. When it was bare dirt or sand it stunk really bad around the edges when it rained. Not anymore.

Good luck.

 

[aart]

My issue with the roofing is that it sweats like crazy and makes like it's raining inside even with the rest of my patio FULLY open for ventilation.

Poly or metal?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Poly or metal?

Both!

 

[KatelynC]

Thank you everyone for your feedback! Sorry for my delay in responding: the chicks came earlier this week! Our family is having sooooo much fun (and my wonderful husband spent much of his Father's Day working on the coop). I really appreciate the photos of the smokey gray/translucent. I was having trouble visualizing how that might be for a coop from the stock photos for the product. I still haven't ordered the roofing yet, but at least now I am more comfortable that there is really not going to be a "wrong" decision with this. And I'm feeling more confident with using organic material instead of gravel, too. Thanks again!