Running out of money - most economical roof option

[SwiftEdge]

Hi,

This is my first build. I foolishly assumed that wood would be 90% of the cost of it and didnt anticipate how much roofing and hardware cloth/wire mesh would be. I've also realised now I could have used considerably lighter wood instead of so many 2x4, which would have made the whole thing lighter and cheaper, oh well. I'm now looking for the cheapest way of finishing the roof and putting mesh in.

I live in the UK and don't seem to be able to find quite the same materials as many recommend in the US. I think the most cost effective way to do the roof would be something like the Onduline corrugated bitumen sheets. I've seen pictures of people just using lapping wood sheets but can't imagine being able to make them waterproof or long lasting, might this be an option?

The roof is at an angle of around 11°. The coop itself is 120cm x 100xm (4ft x 3.3ft). I've kept the run and coop separate so that they can be moved around the garden if necessary.

General advice is not to use 19gauge (1mm) galvanized wire, that it is not strong enough to keep out predators. I live on a new housing estate, I think that foxes are the only possible animal that might be around. I know that they can climb over 6 foot high fences and do come in to built up areas, but they'd have to go over multiple fences and through my neighbour's garden to get to mine. It feels really unlikely they will be a risk, any thoughts on this? Going from 16g (1.6mm) -> 19g (1mm) wire would be about 30% less.

I've seen a number of people recommend BlackJack#57 for paint the coop floor, but this isn't something I can buy in the UK. Any ideas on the closest equivalent? I think just an industrial floor paint should be alright. I'd screwed the floor planks in tight to each other but they've shrunk leaving a mm gap between each. Do you think it a good idea to fill these gaps?

Thanks for any recommendations.

 

[woodworm]

Hi - I'm in the UK also and materials here do seem to be more expensive than the US. The timber and wire I factored in OK but didn't appreciate the cost of all the extra bits like screws, paint, hinges, etc I dread to calculate how much I've spent!

I think the 19g wire will be fine if foxes are your biggest predator. Make sure it's well fastened to the wood every couple of inches so that there isn't a bit it can get hold of to pull at. Personally I went with 16g but we have badgers as well and they are strong and destructive.

The floor gaps I'd use caulk and then an offcut of vinyl flooring, you can usually get end of rolls pretty cheap at those carpet shops.

I bought metal sheet roofing online, but delivery is expensive (£70 on my order regardless of how many sheets). I've seen onduline recommended a lot on the UK chicken forums. I guess you could put OSB / ply on the roof and cover with roofing felt but I'm not sure that would be cheaper?

 

[Perris]

Looks very sturdy! Look on the bright side: you'll not need to worry when the winter storms come blasting through!

I've used Onduline for the roof of a mobile feeding station (leftover from a shed cladding) and am very impressed with it - it deters insects, doesn't suffer condensation, not too heavy, and it's also a LOT cheaper than metal options. The green colour also blends in with the environment well. I would avoid wood/board + roofing felt - that's a perfect breeding ground and hiding place for mites.
Have you considered old fashioned whitewash for the inside walls? Whatever you use, make sure it's not toxic to chickens. You can guarantee they'll pick at any loose flakes, and it must not give off noxious fumes.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Is Onduline currugated plastic roofing? That is what I would use. Cheap, light, you can bend it to fit in your car, and rated to last 15+ years.

Something like this. You could do your whole coop and half your run with like 3 sheets.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Palruf-26-in-x-8-ft-Clear-PVC-Roof-Panel-100423/100038031
Fasten it with these closure strips.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Palruf-24-in-Horizontal-Plastic-Closure-Strips-6-Pack-92771/100090602

 

[Perris]

Is Onduline currugated plastic roofing

it's not plastic. It is bituminised 'cardboard' (for lack of a better word).
https://www.onduline.com/en/our-solutions/onduline-systems

 

[Tre3hugger]

it's not plastic. It is bituminised 'cardboard' (for lack of a better word).
https://www.onduline.com/en/our-solutions/onduline-systems

That stuff seems pretty cool

 

[NY Coturnix]

Not sure if this is the same thing that's been mentioned by I just built my first anything and was very intimidated by the roof. Found a product called, Ondura 4-ft x 6.58-ft Corrugated Asphalt Roof Panel, at Lowes. Was very easy to use. I cut it with my circular saw but could have used a razor blade as well. There are some youtube video's on how to install it that I would recommend but this is my go to roofing material.

 

[SwiftEdge]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go with the Onduline. I can save a bit by not using the 'verge' edging pieces which add to the expense.

When you cut the Ondura with the circular saw did it ruin the blade by coating it with bitumen?

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

You can search on Craigslist and sites like that, sometimes people are giving away free materials that you can use for roofing..... such as sheds (as long as you are willing to disassemble it yourself), etc.

 

[15WildTurkey]

For the floor, I flip flopped about Blackjack but ended up buying a remnant piece of linoleum that I cut a bit so that it goes up the walls about 5inches. I use sand in there and a year in it’s holding up perfectly. Wire mesh is expensive. There’s no getting around it but don’t waste money on a finer gauge only to have to spend the money and then some, all over again and replace your fox eaten birds. Check out your local builders supply store, Woodies or whatever, for off cuts and remnants.