I added an addition on to the chicken coop recently. Here is what I did in a nut shell but I think I over did it.

I had all this extra 2x6 treated lumber and ripped the edges off, then ripped these pieces in half to make 2 1/2" strips. I then boxed these together and added welded wire to make my addition.

Here is the addition to the main coop. The top is open with wire as well.




OK so the chickens do not like the sun or rain and did not go in there much. So I decoded to add a roof last week. I was thinking plywood, but I would have to buy that. ( I don't want to buy anything really)

So then I saw this corrugated roof stuff at the box store. $20 bucks each and I would need two. Plus not available in white. Hmmm.....

So I started ripping the rounded edges on some of the extra boards I had and started laying them across the top. Kind of like a deck. When I got done it looked fairly well, so I ran strips down the sides and center to screw it to. Plus dummy front strips to fill the gap. Like rails on a pallet, since I wanted to be able to remove this. ( Mater of fact it looks like I made a pallet..LOL) Then I stained it to match the coop.

Here is what it looks like.



Well its heavy. It will take two people at least to lift it off. It seems my addition may not hold up to winter snow. Although I stood on the edge some, ( knelt really) and it supported my weight.

Does anyone think I need to add any angle braces or anything? If so where? It would seem I over did it weight wise. This is home store treated 2x6 from the home store. Cant remember what, but was the cheap stuff. Pine?

Here is whats left of the wood. I had 4 piles of this stuff.



Sorry post was so long.

Thanks in advance.

 

Why not just drape a brown tarp over it, fastening with shark clips and bungees. No weight to speak of, unless you forget it in the winter I salvaged some tennis court screening one time to use on mine. Let in minimal light and did not billow in the wind, rain went right through it, so no accumulation of water.

 

I know a guy who bought a huge outdoor advertising banner at a very low price from a shop that printed them because it was a misprint. The thing was as heavy as a tarp and cheaper. He said they routinely sold their misprints. The thing was maybe 20'X30' and he had ask me to help him cut it into smaller tarps.

 

Good idea Ray and chandler, but I would think I need something stronger for the snow. My thinking was sun originally but snow was my next thought. Oh and I guess they are 1x6 and not 2x6.

Now that I am thinking I guess I can just go out there and shovel it off....lol.

I am looking for a pic of other coops with angle pieces for better support but I cant find any. I think what I saw was angle pieces around the frame, but I believe they are to keep it square and do nothing else.

 

I've heard of people putting a hot water hose bib outside and using the hot water and a hose to clear snow or maybe just fix it so it could be rolled up if it snows.