Winter is Coming! Checklists, tips, advice for a newbie

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CGinJCMO said:
I've been trying to figure out a way to make a snow free area in my run too. I've given up on tarps because no matter how tightly they are tied down or how steeply I've made the slope or support under it (tall A frame or curved hog panel), the wind picks it up and shreds it.  If it survives the winds of fall, the snow makes it sag.  I've been thinking of making a metal roof "porch" to have a permenent solution.  I know I'd have to have it angled fairly steep to help the snow slide off.  Sounds like I will have to make sure there is plenty of support to not have sagging issues with metal.  

CG
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How steep the metal needs to be, depends on how much support it has. A strong support system can hold a crazy amount of weight...


I built my duck coop with rotted wood, so made the metal roof have a steep slope.

Raking the roof twice in the middle of the night whenever it snows.....is not a fun winter activity. Set it up so you do not have to rake or shovel.
 
used rotted wood....
lau.gif
For the life I me I can't stop laughing about that. Not that I think it's a bad use of crap wood mind you.
 
CGinJCMO said:
I've been trying to figure out a way to make a snow free area in my run too. I've given up on tarps because no matter how tightly they are tied down or how steeply I've made the slope or support under it (tall A frame or curved hog panel), the wind picks it up and shreds it. If it survives the winds of fall, the snow makes it sag. I've been thinking of making a metal roof "porch" to have a permenent solution. I know I'd have to have it angled fairly steep to help the snow slide off. Sounds like I will have to make sure there is plenty of support to not have sagging issues with metal.

CG
Click to expand...
I made a roof and have one end on ground and other on 2x4 posts in the ground. The end on ground has wood stakes in ground and screwed to bottom board so the snow load doesn't tip/slide structure. The wood supporting structure really doesn't need to be all that beefy but it can't slide or it will tip forward and fall under load. If I remember correctly it was 4-10 foot 2x4's with a 2x4x8ft on each end to make the frame then a 2x4X8ft both front corners that were sunk 18 inches or so in the ground. That's 8 2x4's total, 4- 8ft and 4- 10 ft to make a 8x10 frame with two posts. I used pressure treated so it's heavy, but will last, then threw on used tin roofing. The roofing overhangs 6 inches or so on sides and 18 inches over top. Simple and cheap enough, pressure treated cost me $40 total. I park my coop in front of it come winter, the roof over hangs my coop roof.
 
Alaskan said:
I would take the sloped wood over the nests off... turn the now flat top of the nests into a poop tray, and put a perch over that.

The perch should be WIDE and flat, a minimum of 3 inches.

Oh... and no heat, especially in such a small coop.

My chickens do great down to -20F. (And ducks, and goats)
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400
Thanks for the reply, greatly appreciated. I have completed what you suggested and will attempt to send a photo of it here shortly. They still have not decided to go up to the roost, though during the day the swallows seem to enjoy it up there. Another question, how long do I keep the nesting boxes blocked off? Thanks again everyone for all the help.
 
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I built a ten by twenty-five ft covered run. It's made of 2x4s set with 5ft #centers the roof is framed with a slope of about 12/8 or so . The whole thing is enclosed with welded wire....walls, roof and the end not attached to the coop....I just replaced the original heavy duty tarp I've used as a roof and winter wind break.....it's been on the run for three years...and starting to get a bit threadbare on the southern facing roof.
The south facing wall is left uncovered during the winter. This is to allow sun and fresh air for the birds.....we get lots of snow here....and winter lasts for a long time...6 months is not unusual. The tarp is pulled evenly snug over the wire covered roof frame. Then it is fastened to the framework along the top of the wall just below the roof frames....this is done with lath....or long narrow thin boards. The tarp edge is pulled tight and temporarily stapled to keep it square and in place. The lath is laid over the edge of the tarp and screwed to the top 2x4 of the wall frame....do this on both sides of the roof....and the ends on the top or side of the end rafters....do not try to attach it to all the rafters.....its not necessary the roof will not blow out...my tarp is large enough to cover the run the full length and over the roof and down the north wall to the ground....the north side is secured with lath and screws on the 2x4 wall frames and the bottom is weighted down and secured with tent pegs....then I pile leaves along it....that holds it nice and snug...I covered the east end the same way. So the coop is on the west end, the tarp roofs the run and covers the north side....another piece of tarp covers the end.....the south side, other than the welded wire, is wide open to the winter sun shine....the run stays dry for the most part and the birds can dust bathe on a sunny February day, the wind and most weather comes from the north west or east around here....so only the very bottom edge of the south open side may get a little bit of snow, but nothing more. When it snows (almost every day) I will walk around inside the run and shake the snow off, by pushing the tarp up with my hands, wire and all....or gently and sometimes not so gently thru the wire. Start from the lower roof edge working my way to the peak, one area at a time....the snow usually slides right off.....the birds aren't to thrilled with my "Push-ups" but they get over it. In the summer I roll the back north wall and east wall, up like a tent flap and tie it in place....to allow the air to circulate....I just replaced the old tarp this fall, with a big piece of UV protected, renforced, poly vinyl sheeting....the stuff they cover the hoop buildings with...it's not as easy to use....but might last a few extra years....wish I could get a picture for you. Believe me! The effort to do it right, not half-A----, the first time was well worth it. I will try to get a picture to show you....
 

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