Chicken coop - but roof problem

[herdsman]

Hi guys,

If you keep chickens you will get a visit from red mites and the best way to keep them at bay is to clean the coop with Jeyes fluid and dust the birds with red mite powder.

I converted a corner of a 2,000 square foot barn to house 24 birds and they still get mites, some years there are non and some years there are no end.

Back to the wood thing...very nice chicken houses.

 

[DaveL]

Hi Herdsman,

Welcome to the forum.

 

[ProShop]

How about using deep feather edge boards ?.

When you say you can't use felt, do you mean the mineral roofers underfelt ?

 

[devonwoody]

Actually turning the coup on its side.

The timber would then be running in the correct direction.

Chicks might be a bit disorientated and go off the lay for a while.

Houston we have got a problem.

 

[devonwoody]

Now sincerely trying to help with your problem.

How about putting a bricks at the two corners on the right hand end or left (of your picture). This might encourage the rain/water to run off faster.

 

[Beech Boy]

Hi Rob,
Another problem that you have created for yourself is the hinge in the roof. This will have to be taken into account when choosing the covering.
The best option seems to be felt and find some other way of stopping the red mites. A pvc flap/flashing may waterproof the hinge. Good luck as the rest of the job seems tip top!
Regards, Beech Boy

 

[Rob_H]

Umm, should really work off plans. Borrowed a design - looking at a picture - from a chicken coop company - but didn't fully think it through. D'oh! Thanks for all of your advice - will have to think this through.

 

[Rob_H]

How about using deep feather edge boards ?.

When you say you can't use felt, do you mean the mineral roofers underfelt ?

Having a look at featherboards at the moment - by felt I mean shed roofing felt type stuff...

 

[Rob_H]

Hi Rob,
Another problem that you have created for yourself is the hinge in the roof.
Regards, Beech Boy

On that note anyone know what the hinge on this coop is called - trying a quick design change and see if it can be incorporated. Need to get a couple asap as chickens arriving soon and Mrs H is very anxious

 

[DomValente]

I believe those are cranked hinges.

Dom

 

[DaveL]

Take a look at these they call then storm proof hinges

 

[Rob_H]

Thanks - just ordered a pair.

 

[seaco]

Hi Rob
How about grooving a piece of WBP ply as per your back door on the somerset swamps.
Or try the T&G vertical.
Looks good tho.

Taunton eh! John I'm in Minehead... :wink:

 

[angielily18]

I am more preferred to corrugated metal sheets for a roof. It is lighter and easier to nail to the roof frame.

 

[billybuntus]

This one looks like a good solution and cheap to boot!

 

[dadiy]

Have you considered using roofing slates, you should be able to pick them up at the reclaim yard for under £1 each.

Altjhough not too sure how that would work with the hindges.

 

[Bkn]

We got chickens a few months ago and looked at wooden coops but eventually decided to spend a bit extra on a plastic one - specifically an Eglu:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_service ... %20Classic

No red mite problems + it's really easy to clean and access.

Doesn't really help you with your problem but might be interesting for anyone else who is considering getting some (or if you get any more in the future and decide against building another).

 

[goldeneyedmonkey]

Perspex?

Then you can hopefully keep the look of the roof, without undoing loads of work?

Just my two cents. _Dan

 

[Dibs-h]

We got chickens a few months ago and looked at wooden coops but eventually decided to spend a bit extra on a plastic one - specifically an Eglu:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_service ... %20Classic

No red mite problems + it's really easy to clean and access.

Doesn't really help you with your problem but might be interesting for anyone else who is considering getting some (or if you get any more in the future and decide against building another).

We have foxes in the neighbourhood - are they fox proof?

 

[Bkn]

Yeah, bottom of the wire cage goes parallel to the floor for about 20cm. If the ground's flat then it's ok on its own, if not you can put tent pegs or bricks on it where it isn't flush to the ground.