Updating Roof for Rain/Snow

[sheilawagner]

Hi,

This year, we build our fancy chicken house and enclosed run.

This is the first version of the house and run. Who knew, within 6 months, we would build an added extension enclosure to the back of the run with a slanting roof, but we were lazy and left the original roof flat. Bad Idea for us!

This pic shows the inside of the original run. Notice if you look closely, you can see droplets of condensation on the white flat ceiling roof. I was so annoyed when it dripped on my head. This pic also shows the 2nd improvement we made, i.e. the addition of the back half of the enclosure. This time, we designed the roof to slant back down, to let the rain flow down. It worked great. More space for me and the chicks. I didn't realize when we first build the house and 8 x 16 run, that chickens were so addictive.

Then, when the rain and snow came, we found out where we screwed up. And we redid the entire front half of the roof.

The snow and rain stayed on the top of the flat part of the front roof, and it started leaking into the run. The floor litter would get wet, plus the condensation dripped down too. It was annoying for me to spend time in there.

Can you spot the difference in the slanting roof for the front of the enclosure, now it is much better. No more rain leaking in, no more condensation dripping down either. YAY.

This time, we got smarter, and decided to leave 2 inch gaps right under the roof, where the corrugated paneling met the horizontal beams. It prevents rain spraying sideways in, because of the 1 foot overhang. But it is airy enough and allows good air ventilation.

Poor DH, he and I did all the work together, but he has been so understanding and supportive. I've already thought of 2 plans for next year's expansion project. 2 more chicken houses and a run. That's why I say, "Poor DH".

Edited to add the picture for expansion of the run

 

[NonnasBabies]

VERY nice job!!

 

[teach1rusl]

That is a NICE run!!! I'm so envious! We talked of covering our run, but still haven't

Have you considered rock covered w/sand for your run??? That way even in warm months, when your tarps are gone, rain won't affect things too much...

 

[mgw]

Real nice fix . did you have those side covers made or are they just tarps.

 

[sheilawagner]

hi MGW,


Not sure if you can see the tarps better in this photo. Hopefully you can.

These are actually Costco Barn tarps. They have pre-sewn in grommets every 1 foot all around the sides, so we used them only for winter time. In Spring, Summer and Fall, we don't have the tarps on. They just happened to fit perfectly onto the sides, and we had screws put in onto the framing, and so we zip tie all the tops, and sides, but left the bottom unzipped so that the wind can blow through a bit. At the back, we left some gaps so that we can help with ventilation also.

In this pic, you will see that on the front sides, we used wood beams to roll over tightly the tarps and screwed them into the framing, to firmly secure the tarps especially on the front side, because it is the wind side. Also, we zip tied all the tops and sides. The bottom we left unzipped again. We definitely needed to put these tarps on, because it kept the wind chill factor eliminated, the rain is kept out and the snow too. The birds really enjoy spending time in the enclosed run, because we have a tire in there for their dust baths, and many perches where they hang out away from the wind and rain, and can stay dry.

For the floor litter, ever since we modified the roofing, we've had very little rain on it and moisture problems. It doesn't even stink. We use DE and Sweet PDZ to help with that too. I like the rock and dirt idea, maybe we can try it for summer, but I like the shavings because the chickens have the chance to scratch around for treats that I throw in there for them. It is also a good cushioning and insulation against the cold. I have Cochins and silkies so I need to consider feathered feet.

With that said, I do not show my birds, and they free range all the time anyways, so they get their feet muddy, and feathers wet, but they seem to really enjoy spending time in the enclosed run in winter. If it isn't raining, they like to walk out and free range on 1.5 acres, and dig for worms and bugs under the fallen leaves. If it starts to rain, they all run back to the enclosure. It is very cute to see.

 

[FoodKillah]

Very nice run, good job. I would love to have it hehe

Is the extension of the coop that is located inside the run, the nests? I mean do you have to walk in to gather the eggs, if you do? Just wondering

 

[sheilawagner]

All the nest boxes are in the house itself.

This was when we first installed it into the house. We also raised it up about half a feet. However, the lower level is used by the silkies to snuggle in there if they choose not to perch.

Nice thing about it is I only need to walk into the house to collect them, and it is 8 ft tall, so I have a lot of room in there. Quite comfortable for me.

There is one more side smaller coop (which I think you are referring to).

I think you were referring to this one. Believe it or not, it was our very first home made coop, when we first started out having chickens. We were given 4 hens, so the DH made this a long time ago. But we decided to keep it, and install it inside the run, to use as a broody house, sick house, or a place to confine naughty birds, or just as extra nest boxes. We painted it to match the house. Yes, we have it inside the run, but the birds like using the fancier nest boxes in the coop instead of this one. Most of the time, it is vacant.

This was what it used to look like before, our small pathetic little chicken coop for our original hen.

 

[sheilawagner]

I don't mind spending time inside the chicken run. As a matter of fact, I spend a few hours in there every day.

Even in winter, I spend time in my run, which is why I really wanted it to be visually appealing and comfortable, for me and the chickens. I like spending time with the chickens. They come and sit on my lap, or I feed them, or just watch them preen themselves. Sometimes, I just sit there and watch them for hours.