Run roof slope?

[sherrydeanne]

I've been looking, but hoping someone knows this off the top of their heads. My run is going to sit on a slope so instead of trying to square it up, I'm going to just do it angled. Question is, how much drop would I need on a 10' run to help with snow load? I want to do a framed up run with a wire top and then tarp it in the winter. Would a 2' drop be enough to get the snow sliding off?
I know there's a ton of factors here, which is probably why I can't find an answer. Just wondering if I'm waaaay off base and it needs to be practically a 45 degree angle?

Bueller..... bueller!

 

[95yj]

I believe it would be 72*, but i just had to do a ridiculous amount of math to come to that conclusion, somebody should probably check me up on that one. I'm on vacation and my brain refuses to think. I'm pretty sure that the slope of the roof, 2 foot drop over 10 feet of distance, [1/5= 20% out of 100 = 72 out of 360*] wouldn't be quite enough to drop the snow. maybe instead of sloping the pen from front to back slope it side to side?

 

[ColoradoMike]

There are way too many factors (as you stated) to have a definative answer to this. My coop has a galvanized steel roof and is sloped 33% (i.e. 1' in 3') and holds snow (if the conditions are right). It will shed snow when things warm up though. I would suggest designing your run/coop roof to withstand the load and not rely on simply shedding the snow when it falls....

Good luck!

 

[captainmoose]

The snow is not going to just slide off of it anyway even with a 45% angle ( 12/12 pitch ) The tarp will sag and so will the wire. I lost my run roof (netting) this winter, 30in of snow on an 8/12 pitch.

 

[Momo]

Mine is a 45 degree, steep pitch gable roof (metal) and it sheds the snow great. We get a LOT of snow, which is why I wanted a steep pitch.

 

[patandchickens]

What captainmoose said. Snow is not going to shed well off a tarp, because it will be saggy and baggy and hold the snow.

I would really suggest a SOLID roof instead if you want to stand up to, and get rid of, snowload. A reasonable pitch would be 3/12, or anyhow no less than 2/12. It is hard to say exactly though because there is a tradeoff between the pitch of the roof and the seriousness of the rafters/posts supporting it... you can happily have a flatter (even *flat*) roof if you have a strong enough structure, but if you want to spend less time, money and material on the supporting structure, you are well advised to have a steeper roof, you know?

If you are bound and determined to tarp the top of the run for winter in a snowy area, i would suggest a SHARP pitch, certainly not less than 5/12. Remember that if it is a shed rather than gable roof, it will also tend to catch the wind, which can be a problem.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat