Which roof would be better and why?

[chfriedmam]

Hi, so I'm restarting with chickens. I decided I'm going to stay away from a lot of wood. So I'm going to use one of these as a COOP and small run, closing off part of the inside or adding on with EMT conduit inside to make a coop structure. Walls/wind protection I will use probably plastic panels or some plywood if I must. Looking for something that won't rot as fast and is more easily disinfected. ANYWAYS... what are your ideas of domes vs gabled roof? Why choose one over the other? Is one sturdier or provides more usable space? I suppose the gabled roof is more amenable to attaching roofing panels...

PS I'm in SoCal, so extreme cold weather isn't an issue.
PPS adding pic of my old coop, no longer in existence. Building it took me way too much time.

 

[neo71665]

Mine is just tin put up there all pitched towards the back side. I have a 2x4 sit on edge on the front that it's attached to and the tin is attached on the back bar of the kennel. Not much of a slope but enough to shed water.

I'm down south so I don't really have to worry about snow or ice load.

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't know that one shape or the other has any particular benefit except that it's usually easier to put roof panels onto a flat surface.

The concern with these metal run kits is usually that they come with chicken wire -- which is good for keeping chickens in and no good at keeping dogs, coyotes, or raccoons out.

If you have to wrap it in hardware cloth it will be easier to do that with all flat surfaces.

 

[chfriedmam]

I don't know that one shape or the other has any particular benefit except that it's usually easier to put roof panels onto a flat surface.

The concern with these metal run kits is usually that they come with chicken wire -- which is good for keeping chickens in and no good at keeping dogs, coyotes, or raccoons out.

If you have to wrap it in hardware cloth it will be easier to do that with all flat surfaces.

True

 

[Sara S]

Tbh Im no carpenter lmao but your old chicken coop is so cute! I want one like it lll

 

[chfriedmam]

Thanks! It's embarrassing how long it took me.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Domes or arches are, in theory, stronger and more resource efficient. Gables are easier to place weather sheltered 24/7/365 free ventilation under. Domes alse require more skill to craft correctly.

I like hardieboard. Hard on tools, but almost none of the problems wood has. and I like "tin" for roofs. Relatively inexpensive, easier to install correctly, less labor than installing (properly) a shingled roof. I do not like tarp-based roofing solutions.

 

[linguini]

adding pic of my old coop,

You old coop is beautiful! I wish we could build one like that.

If you have to wrap it in hardware cloth it will be easier to do that with all flat surfaces.

Totally agree with @3KillerBs - straight lines will be much easier to work with if you also have to add overhangs (for rain!)

 

[chfriedmam]

You old coop is beautiful! I wish we could build one like that.



Totally agree with @3KillerBs - straight lines will be much easier to work with if you also have to add overhangs (for rain!)

Thanks. I thihk I'm gonna go with the gabled for roofing reasons, unless I get crazy and dedice to build a new hen house!