Snow vs. protection for run covering?

[aart]

Building off this thread, I am having a debate with my builder (hubby) on the covered vs uncovered run. My coop is 8x8, run will ideally be L shaped and about 160-200 sq ft. The short arm of L will dissect the coop with pop door on one side of HC and human door on other side for open access. Hot wire will be present for bear, coyotes, etc.
I would like 75% of the entire run covered with metal roof pitched for snow and rain shed. The debate is that hubby thinks it does not need to be covered that much and only the short L is needed. Feeder will be in run for summer, coop for winter. I want chickens out everyday 365 unless weather conditions dictate otherwise, meaning t'storm, blizzard. I get about 150-250 in snow/yr. Am I unreasonable on coverage amt? We have extra material from home build so cost is no issue. Thx all

I would cover as much as you can, so they can be outside every day of the year(expect for the worst storm days).
Plan on covering walls during winter to keep run snow free.
You may know better than is how much pitch a roof needs to actually shed snow,
but I think it's really steep.
So....Plan on how to get around run with the roof rake, as well as very sturdy framing under the roofing.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I would cover as much as you can, so they can be outside every day of the year(expect for the worst storm days).
Plan on covering walls during winter to keep run snow free.
You may know better than is how much pitch a roof needs to actually shed snow,
but I think it's really steep.
So....Plan on how to get around run with the roof rake, as well as very sturdy framing under the roofing.

Agree. I can get away with 6/12 with a metal roof and roof rake as needed. Alternatively, a 10-12 ft wide hoop run may work, similar to your hoop coop. I have access to material and welder. I lose the L shape but it may work better for snow and winter shelter..and hubby may be on board if he gets to play with welder
Thanks so much!

 

[Alaskan]

Building off this thread, I am having a debate with my builder (hubby) on the covered vs uncovered run. My coop is 8x8, run will ideally be L shaped and about 160-200 sq ft. The short arm of L will dissect the coop with pop door on one side of HC and human door on other side for open access. Hot wire will be present for bear, coyotes, etc.
I would like 75% of the entire run covered with metal roof pitched for snow and rain shed. The debate is that hubby thinks it does not need to be covered that much and only the short L is needed. Feeder will be in run for summer, coop for winter. I want chickens out everyday 365 unless weather conditions dictate otherwise, meaning t'storm, blizzard. I get about 150-250 in snow/yr. Am I unreasonable on coverage amt? We have extra material from home build so cost is no issue. Thx all

I would HIGHLY recommend covering it all and making the run fully predator proof so the pop door can be kept open 24/7.

Your long term joy will be much greater!

 

[Alaskan]

Oh... in general I do not shovel roofs. I prefer to overbuild. Super strong to support the snow load, or super steep to shed the snow fast.

 

[aart]

super steep to shed the snow fast.

How steep is that, in numbers?
At least 6/12....or even more?

 

[Alaskan]

How steep is that, in numbers?
At least 6/12....or even more?

Hummmm... it is my duck coop... that roof is at about a 45 degree angle (so.. that is a 6/12). But I used super bad, partly rotted (actually soft) wood.

However, built completely out of junk, rotted wood and rusty metal roof... it is STILL standing.

It is currently being used by 2 feeder pigs, and still good and sturdy.

With better wood and less rusty metal i do not think it would have to be that steep.

 

[Sally PB]

My run's roof is somewhat less than 45 degrees. It's the frame from a green house. I covered the roof with chicken wire, then put heavy duty tarps over that, tied down with zip ties. I can reach all of it with a push broom to pull the snow off. About the deepest snow I had to clean off was 6"; not a heavy snow winter last year. The tarps were about $35-40 each, and I needed two. They came through fine. I have lots of uses for them besides the run, so it was a good investment.

We plan to put polycarbonate sheeting up this fall. It got pretty dreary in there in the winter with no sunlight.

 

[aart]

With better wood and less rusty metal i do not think it would have to be that steep.

I do. I think 6/12 would be a minimum.
The steeper it is the less stress on the framing and the sooner snow might come off on it's own. Of course snow and ambient conditions would lay a big part in 'self shedding'.