Lewis Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I'm planning to make a walk in run, out of wood on concrete slabs, similar to ones I've seen a lot of you have on here. At the moment we have an old climbing frame as the run, covered in chicken mesh so there isn't really a roof. For a wooden run, which type of roof seems best, a flat or sloping one, or an apex roof? And do you think it would be best to be left uncovered, or covered in some form of clear plastic (the only things I can see are the rain getting in if uncovered, but if it snows, the weight might be a bit too much) ? Thanks Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 A sloping roof is best, an apex one is great but you ahve the problem of waterproofing the apex and the materials for this work out more expensive than installing a simple sloping roof I have weldmesh over the roof of my run and will fit a sloping plastic roof over that If you put enough cross supports and battens in the roof it should bear the weight ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 As Redwing said, a sloping roof is best, and pretty simply to do. Over a 6ft depth (front to back), the slope is 2" (50mm). A series of batons 38mm, 28mm and 12mm spaced between the front and back will provide adequate support, even in snow. My translucent roof sits on top of the weld mesh roof panels. Also, should be dreaded 'bird flu' get back into the headlines, a covered run will keep you on the right side of any temporary restrictions in the law. Loads of pictures of my run roof and guttering system here. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I also agree with sloping one side and not apex. With apex you have to worry about the water/rain going both sides of the WIR. We have our sloping down one side with guttering running along the roof into a water butt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks I think they look better being sloped backwards, and as you've said, they're more practical than apex. Andrew, those pictures are really helpful and detailed, I've been having a look at Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here's photos on flickr - everything seems to have been thought of! I really like the look of the aviaries4u runs, but they're a bit pricey and I'd rather buy an eglu - so I think we're going to build one. I'm still working out sizes and where to have doors etc, but the main thing I need to do is convince Dad that is a good idea He thinks I'm just after a second run for more chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Thanks . I really like the look of the aviaries4u runs, but they're a bit pricey and I'd rather buy an eglu - so I think we're going to build one. They are not cheap, however they are very well thought out and made to a very high standard. I'm with you 100% on the Eglu, mine lives inside my WIR, which was always the plan. I know lots of people rave about the new Cube, but to my eye, the Eglu just looks better . This is my finished run, complete with Eglu inside:- Follow the link in my signature for a full build history. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I've been having a look at Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here's photos on flickr - everything seems to have been thought of! Glad they've been of help - I was just about to point in you that direction . Andrew has described it exactly (his roof is used in Tony's instructions ). The only extra things we added were another baton under the plastic (so 4 in total) to gale-proof it and in case of heavy snow, and also a bracket on the one that we couldn't reach to put as many screws in as the others (you can see that in the photo pointing skywards called "roof and batens"). We also put in as many screws as we could fit in and added another extra baten on top of the roof (we do get horrific gales here ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Stupid question here, do you literally just have to bolt or screw Tony's panels together and bolt the roof on? or is there any more to do? How long did it take to assemble, and would you ever need to take it apart to weather proof it or anything like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Depends how handy you are, in my opinion. I'm useless (and had rubbish tools I discovered) so it would have taken me weeks . My brother did a couple of hours and my friend's OH did 3 mornings' work (maybe 9 or 10 hrs). It does all go together very easily with the right tools. The roof was the trickiest bit and also fixing it to my garage wall wasn't easy (due to wonky walls). I don't think I'd ever take mine apart. Any weather proofing will just go wherever I can get a brush . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 Ok. I've built scenery flats before, and they look the same as the run panels, only the run will be smaller and of thicker wood. I also have a friend who is a carpenter who also happens to be an animal lover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I built my run form scratch, its pretty easy if you have the right tools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 20, 2009 Author Share Posted April 20, 2009 I built my run form scratch, its pretty easy if you have the right tools Have you got a link to any pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 I built my run form scratch, its pretty easy if you have the right tools Have you got a link to any pictures Try this: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=38922&start=1125 The run now has a shelf and branches to add another level to play on I have no carpentry skills whatsoever and managed to build that, I had a proper table saw £20 and a good electric screwdriver £50 and bought really good screws and that steered me ok. The run has the odd dodgy joint but it is solid at least - I still have the roof to fix on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Hi I had some onduline but it is v heavy however really easy to nail in(special nails)I have it on a stable and it has withstood snow/windy weather. I did half with onduline for shade and the other half i have left with weldmesh so open for the sunshine. I Have just sloped it (not apex) I was going to put the clear panels in and mayl do that possibly. The other thing is my cube is near the onduline end and it is quite dark so hopefully that keeps them quiet in the morning too? Onduline is meant to be good to repell mites Avairies for u do look v good and once u start buying wood may realise how much it can add up(as i have) I did have a lot of spare wood and weldmesh to start with .. Good luck lots of brill ideas and wonderful runs on here ind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Stupid question here, do you literally just have to bolt or screw Tony's panels together and bolt the roof on? or is there any more to do? Not a stupid question at all. Yes, the panels come fully made, all you have to do is put one next to the other and screw them together. How long did it take to assemble, and would you ever need to take it apart to weather proof it or anything like that? I put mine together in a weekend, so two days. You can see the whole process (including construction of the base) as a slideshow here. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 22, 2009 Author Share Posted May 22, 2009 Me again! I have a few more questions With the wooden panels, are they attached to the floor in any way? I was thinking of a bit like fences are put up. Concrete in some posts then screw the panels to those. and also, What do your runs back onto? I know ANH's is a garage wall, but my current one has a fence, then flower border, then a bit of grass and then the run; but the new place I want it to go, it would be right up against the neighbours fence (its the end of their garden, so noise isn't a problem) I'll obviously leave a gap to walk behind so they can get to the fence and incase anything goes behind, but does it need a bit more protection as cats/foxes could get under their fence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I think the runs are so heavy they don't necessarily need fixing to the ground. Having said that though, if you have a perspex or whatever roof and very high winds, who knows what might happen . That's mainly why mine is attached to my garage (well remembered ) and to give it the stability of a fourth side. Concreted in posts sounds like a good plan. The only place I did screw mine to the slabs was where there was a very tiny gap between a slab and the run base. We screwed a batten to the run then screwed through into the slab. Could you put chickenwire or weldmesh along the bottom of your side of their fence? It could be removed if they needed access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 22, 2009 Author Share Posted May 22, 2009 I probably will put chicken wire along the bottom. The gardens are a bit funny as I'm only a few houses from the corner of the road, we're the first long garden , but it means the others aren't all standard sizes, so there is a gap between 2 of their fence panels. I've covered it up with wood and a slab, but just have to be careful. I only asked because the run we have now is dug into the ground, and didn't know if others were. I've got pictures in my head, pretty much the same as aviaries4u runs, but I'm sure when we try and put it all together it'll look totally different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Mine just sits on the slab base. As ANH said, they are very heavy once constructed. Installing a translucent roof is a bit like adding a sail to the run, but mine has not shown any sign of movement, and it's been really windy these last couple of weeks. Cheers Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
