Hinged roof, thoughts and ideas

[archeryrob]

The last coop I made for my daughter was 6' to the top of the studs, plus gabled roof peaks. That works out well to open the door and get inside. I am making another one for myself that I will probably be my breeders coop for meat chickens. It's probably going to be 40" wide by 8' long and shorter in height. Either 48" on the stud walls with a gable roof or 48" on the high side with a shed roof. I have not decided based on what I plan to do.

I want to hinge the roof on the run side and be able to lift it on the nesting box side. Then prop it up to clean the poop boards as needed. I'll have a 2' door or so on each end for cleaning the floor when needed, but it would be really hard to crawl in the side and clean the poop boards that would be as high as the top of the door.

Any one done this and have ideas and pictures to share? Normally I would build a gabled roof, but have thought shed roof if it makes this easier.

 

[archeryrob]

Maybe like this?

Left down with boards
Middle roof up for cleaning
Right framing.

Might extend the nesting box 2x4 out 1' and put deck boards to stand on

 

[mowin]

So the low side will be in the run?
I'd want the high side to be facing the run so rain doesn't run off roof into the run.

 

[archeryrob]

No, High side toward the run and cleaning and egg gathering is from outside the run. Might be a 2' age tunnel from the coop to the run so the roof doesn't hit the wire.

 

[mowin]

Don't see why it wouldn't work. You would definitely have to build some sort of deck or raised platform out back so you could reach everything. Interesting concept.

 

[paneubert]

For the hinge/pivot point, would it make it any easier to use a flexible rubber interface? Like a long thin gasket so that it is waterproof, yet flexible so you can hing up the roof.

Point being the ability to not need that little portion of roof on the far side.

 

[archeryrob]

No, I will use gate hinges most likely. Then nail 2x4 sideways between the trusses to meet the top plate on the walls. This will give me a nailing surface to put hardware cloth in the soffit vents to keep ventilation. So 2" of air space in each soffit instead of 3.5".

I think the rubber would not fair long, especially the first winter.

 

[debid]

What kind of roofing are you going to use? I'm thinking the weight of the roof could be an issue on a coop that size. That and reaching past the nest boxes and down in.

FWIW, we built something similar in size and hinged the two 4' sides so they're all door. I don't have poop boards, just roosts running the short way but I can open both doors wide to clear the litter with a snow shovel and a push broom directly into a wheelbarrow parked at the doorway.

 

[archeryrob]

I will be using metal roofing and all pallet construction for the roof. Slates across the trusses for screwing the metal. I don't think it will be unmanageable to lift. If it is, I can screw it shut.

 

[aart]

Accessibility will be a PITA.
IMO you need to be able to easily reach every inch of a coop.
Am picturing hanging over the top of wall to reach down into coop...
....legs flailing as the step stool gets kicked over.Sorry.

Looks like there is an access door in end of coop in your drawing,
so am baffled about the roof hinging(tho you have solved the waterproofing there).