To tarp or not to tarp

[C&Rman]

Your coop shoulld be on your christmas card, that thing is BEAUTIFUL....

 

[Beekissed]

C&Rman :

Your coop shoulld be on your christmas card, that thing is BEAUTIFUL....

X2!!! Wouldn't mind living there myself!

 

[yellowjacket]

It sure is!

 

[rebel-rousing-at-night]

Quote:
Have you ever seen a 10' steel dog run pipe bent to where the 2 ends came close together?

That's what snow can do.

I will say this though...if you do the 2x4 deal on a non level roof be sure the lower end that gets the run off is where you would want it and not in front of your chicken house. Maybe plan for ditches too.

I do have tarps around a lot of my kennel and they do really help with the wind and with sideways rain too.

 

[Jferlisi]

I tarp mine. I built mine right after i moved and didn't know what way the rain flew in from and of course i set the open side that way. SOOO i use a tarp when it rains or is windy to shelter them some.

 

[The reluctant chicken]

I have tarps on 2 sides, covering 2/3's of the run so they still have sunshine, but they have a place for cover. It also breaks the wind. We also have a tunnel that is wood on the top and bottom and hardware cloth on the sides, but we've blocked 90% of it with wood for the winter to alleviate cold wind going into the coop. Our tunnel is about 9 ft long and connects the coop (converted shed) to the run.

 

[chisNchickens]

Quote:
Oh how adorable! LOVE the house and what a pretty picture it all makes! I def need to work on the aesthetics of my coop...

 

[OldGuy43]

As for roofing I would suggest that you Google "Utah snow load". Architects use this data when designing roofs. While I know you aren't worried about the legal requirements it'd give you some data to work with.

From personal experience I know that these plastic tarps you can but today won't last very long when exposed to the elements.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[bluebird]

Quote:
Love the chicken tree ornament! LOL!

Thank you...that's Brooks...my "chicken in a cherry tree" LOL!