How far can a 2x4 rafter span???

[TerryH]

I'm building a run for my wife's chickens. It's 9x26. Sloped roof 1/10 pitch. Corrugated metal roofing. I'd like to use 2x4 rafters on 16" centers with 2x4 strapping on top to screw the metal to. Some snow load here. Will that work?

 

[383 240z]

http://www.mycarpentry.com/rafter-span-tables.html

third table down

 

[readhead]

Third table says slope greater than 3/12. What is the roof snow requirement in your area? I think I would go 2x6 @ 16"oc and sleep well knowing your wife's chickens are safe.

 

[beakie]

10x30' shed
I used 2x4 on 24" centers
~11' gap with a 2/12 pitch, tin roof
used 1x2" strapping to attach tin too

we have snow here, sometimes lots of it. and the wind is constant (built single slope to the west/windward side)

just in case I added 2x6 supports running center of gap so 2x4 was only ~5.5' span

2 winters, lots of snow, strong winds... no problems.

 

[drivesitfar]

Terry: I was thinking off the top of my head maybe 6 or 8 feet would be ok for 2x4 span. is your chicken coop really 26 foot wide? any pictures?

my guess is you would be ok with 9 foot span if you don't plan on walking on top of it and might even be ok then if you don't weigh over 250 pounds.

just for egg laying, pets or ??

good luck

 

[bczygan]

The things you can do to increase load capacity:

Increase depth of member.

Reduce spacing of members.

Reduce span of members.

Increase strength of members by choice of stronger species and higher grade.

Increase pitch.

Buy a snow rake and use it.

Bill

 

[TerryH]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I decided that I would sister every other rafter so every other rafter is a double 2x4 on 16" centers. 9' span. I'll be laying perpendicular 2x4's flat on 16" centers to screw the corrugated roofing to. Surely that will be enough support.

The coop is separate from the attached run. The coop is 9x8. The run is 9x26. The run is an outdoor area where the chickens are secure and under roof but can forage and do what chickens do. The sides of the run will be covered with 1/2" hardware cloth and then 2x4 welded wire. The coop is an extension of my compressor room on the back of my shop. The whole chicken extravaganza borders our raised bed garden. Chickens will have no access to the garden. They do have a 900 sq.ft. chicken yard behind the run/coop.

I had a fence company do the 8' privacy fence that forms the chicken yard. It connects with my storage building and parking area behind my shop.



Here's the 9' section of privacy fence that will become the west end of the run and the angled gate connecting the storage building so I have access to the implement storage area.



I cheated and had the fence guys set all the posts for the run while they were here. I began the rest of the framing today.

Here's some pics of where I stopped today for reference. Back to get more 2x4's tomorrow and continue on Monday...

Coop before the run construction...



And here's how far I got on the run today..

 

[kbs2244]

Go for it!
What is the worst case scenario?
Some cold chickens?

 

[TerryH]

Go for it!
What is the worst case scenario?
Some cold chickens?

It's just a roofed outdoor space so cold would not be an issue. The roof caving in and crushing my wife's pet chickens, that would be an issue.

 

[drivesitfar]

TERRY: WELL DONE and nicely laid out raised beds too. are the pets just laying eggs and what kind of chickens and did you mention how many?

 

[patterg2003]

Looking at the span table the shortest span for a live load of 20 lbs/sq ft is 8'-7". Just for the heck of it the snow loads for Fayetteville AR is also 20 psf.

http://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6517

The chicken coup is 9 x 26. If the walls are 2x4 then the clear span from inside wall to inside wall is 8'-5". It really depends on the grade of wood but the most conservative in the table is eastern spruce at 8'-7". The span in the table is for a 3:12 pitch but the span is the horizontal measurement. The rafter length at pitch would be longer but its structural length is the horizontal measurement if that makes sense. The coup roof is good for about 20psf but would not spend much time mid span. If you intend to sister every second then it would be a sure thing if you just used 2x4's @12" ctrs. as that is the longer span strength and would use less wood. The 2x4 strapping will help the rafters to work together. Looking at the Lafayette info the winds are one to watch.

If you do get a excess snow then you could pull it off. The 12" ctrs will make it feel better to work on.

 

[432bullet]

I have a similar set up for our chickens and have not had a bit of problem. Just north of you in McDonald co. It has been up for 4 yrs no snow or wind problems. Happy trails

 

[TerryH]

TERRY: WELL DONE and nicely laid out raised beds too. are the pets just laying eggs and what kind of chickens and did you mention how many?

Thanks! They are all still juveniles at this point but they will all be laying brown eggs for my awesome cook wife. We have 8 total. 3 - Black Austrolorps, 3 - Buff Orpingtons, 1 - French Black Copper Maran and a Black Laced Red Wandotte. They are 7 weeks old.

 

[TerryH]

Looking at the span table the shortest span for a live load of 20 lbs/sq ft is 8'-7". Just for the heck of it the snow loads for Fayetteville AR is also 20 psf.

http://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6517

The chicken coup is 9 x 26. If the walls are 2x4 then the clear span from inside wall to inside wall is 8'-5". It really depends on the grade of wood but the most conservative in the table is eastern spruce at 8'-7". The span in the table is for a 3:12 pitch but the span is the horizontal measurement. The rafter length at pitch would be longer but its structural length is the horizontal measurement if that makes sense. The coup roof is good for about 20psf but would not spend much time mid span. If you intend to sister every second then it would be a sure thing if you just used 2x4's @12" ctrs. as that is the longer span strength and would use less wood. The 2x4 strapping will help the rafters to work together. Looking at the Lafayette info the winds are one to watch.

If you do get a excess snow then you could pull it off. The 12" ctrs will make it feel better to work on.

Thanks for the info. I had already done most of the rafters yesterday and finished today. I did use 16" centers with every other one doubled. Rafters are all #2 treated. It's more like pole barn construction. 4x4 posts set 2' deep in concrete with 2x6's around the perimeter that the rafters are sitting on. I took time to bevel the top of the 2x6's so the rafters sit flush on them with no bird mouths. Each rafter is double toed to the 2x6's with 3" deck screws. The doubles have both rafters screwed together. All the singles have strong ties. I'm pretty confident that it will be ok. I'll knock the snow off of it if we get another one of those 24" snows like we had a few years back.

I took time tonight to pre-cut all the 2x strapping and blocking so the roof is going on tomorrow if the rain stays away. Hopefully it will be ok.

 

[drivesitfar]

Terry: just an FYI. are you burying some wire to keep predators out of the chicken's area? we had a good discussion on chicken coops on the PNW thread in Free Parking a couple weeks ago. apparently the chicken eating varmints will dig under fences or even push or bite through them so just thought you'd like to know.

I also heard they stink and are noisy, but like you I have a great wife that cooks great so we try to grow some of our food too. she doesn't like chickens, but has a couple friends at work that have brought her their eggs to sell her for years now.

good luck and I hope it all works out for you. it looks awesome and nice work so far.

 

[TerryH]

Terry: just an FYI. are you burying some wire to keep predators out of the chicken's area? we had a good discussion on chicken coops on the PNW thread in Free Parking a couple weeks ago. apparently the chicken eating varmints will dig under fences or even push or bite through them so just thought you'd like to know.

I also heard they stink and are noisy, but like you I have a great wife that cooks great so we try to grow some of our food too. she doesn't like chickens, but has a couple friends at work that have brought her their eggs to sell her for years now.

good luck and I hope it all works out for you. it looks awesome and nice work so far.

We're actually using the apron idea. 24" of welded wire attached to the lower 2x6 on the run and extending out on the ground from the run. The diggers will be deterred when they can't get past the wire and they're not smart enough to back up and try farther away. No need to actually bury the wire. We also have rail road ties around the run on the garden side and the other sides will have large sand stone landscape rocks all around the perimeter. I've done a ton of research. Hopefully I have the bases covered.

We're being very proactive with predator control. The lower 4' of the sides will be 1/2" hardware cloth with the upper portion covered with poultry netting. The entire side will then be covered with 2x4 welded wire.

The chicken is a pooping machine. The key to controlling the smell is controlling the moisture. We're using the deep bedding method in the coop. There is several inches of pine shavings that quickly dry out the poop. We also have a poop tray filled with PDZ stall freshener which acts like a giant kitty litter box under the roosts. Works great. Just screen out the poop every few days. We also use diatomaceous earth in the bedding which helps with the drying.

The run will use the deep litter method. Basically 6" or so of ground up tree matter from a local tree service. Same sort of principle applies but instead of just drying out the poop the entire run basically becomes one big compost pile. There should not be harsh smells with these methods.

All hens so no crowing going on. We chose breeds that are quieter. We'll see how all of that plays out. Soo far so good. We've had a great time with the chickens. They are good fun.

 

[southalabama]

Raised beds look good.

I like the idea of chickens. I just don't like the idea of having to tend to them daily. A wife and a cat are all I can handle. I did leave room for a future chicken yard in case things change.

 

[slip knot]

Thats gonna be a damn nice chicken coop. mine have more of a chicken hovel.

 

[TerryH]

Raised beds look good.

I like the idea of chickens. I just don't like the idea of having to tend to them daily. A wife and a cat are all I can handle. I did leave room for a future chicken yard in case things change.

They do require tending. Most of that is being done by my wife. I know it sounds weird but they are fun to watch and quite interesting to be around so I make a little time each day to be out there with them. They all have individual personalities and some are quite funny.

 

[TerryH]

Thats gonna be a damn nice chicken coop. mine have more of a chicken hovel.

I'm sure the chickens don't mind. Our whole chicken deal kinda got out of hand as most projects do around here.

 

[bczygan]

That coop and run look good enough for ME to live in!

 

[theoldwizard1]

10x30' shed
I used 2x4 on 24" centers
~11' gap with a 2/12 pitch, tin roof
used 1x2" strapping to attach tin too

we have snow here, sometimes lots of it. and the wind is constant (built single slope to the west/windward side)

just in case I added 2x6 supports running center of gap so 2x4 was only ~5.5' span

2 winters, lots of snow, strong winds... no problems.

I assume those 2x6 are supported at each end ! Is there a true "ridge beam" (2x6?) supported at each end ?

Those extra 2x6s are called purlins and by cutting the span down, you greatly increase the load capacity.


OP, with 2x6 end supported ridge beams and 2x6 end supported purlins AND 3/12 pitch you will have now problem even 24" on center.

If you are not going to so a supported ridge beam or purlins, I would use 2x6 AND 3/12 pitch.

 

[TerryH]

I forged ahead in the rain today. What a day. Got the blocking and strapping done first thing and continued in the pouring ran with the metal. Took a couple of breaks when it was just raining so hard I couldn't stand it and headed into the shop to work on the man doors. Got those finished as well.

No clue what will happen with snow load but I can tell you for sure that it feels super solid with my 280 lb. carcass walking around on it all day. I feel confident that it will be good. I suppose it's just one big field test now.

Pics from today...

Blocking and strapping done.



Roof done.



Couple of general shots.

 

[drivesitfar]

Terry: i'd almost say you could build a second story on top of that roof now if you need to expand MAMA'S chicken coop later. just kidding, but it does look stout. WELL DONE!! and great looking design and yard too.

 

[TerryH]

Terry: i'd almost say you could build a second story on top of that roof now if you need to expand MAMA'S chicken coop later. just kidding, but it does look stout. WELL DONE!! and great looking design and yard too.

Thank you!!

 

[ilovevocs]

Terry,

I really like your setup. Are you planning to use dlm in the run because you think they will trample it? I have a 25 x 25 with 5 hens and its fairing ok so far. I'm hoping to keep the grass as long as I can because they enjoy it. Time will tell, buts its held strong for over two months now.

I used to free range my girls during the day but I had one get killed by a hawk; it was upsetting; thus the addition of the run.


We need to start a chicken coop thread.


In reference to daily care. The only thing I do daily is gather eggs.

I built a sealed recirculating water system that uses poultry *******, and a bucket feeder. I fill them both every two weeks.

 

[TerryH]

Terry,

I really like your setup. Are you planning to use dlm in the run because you think they will trample it? I have a 25 x 25 with 5 hens and its fairing ok so far. I'm hoping to keep the grass as long as I can because they enjoy it. Time will tell, buts its held strong for over two months now.

I used to free range my girls during the day but I had one get killed by a hawk; it was upsetting; thus the addition of the run.


We need to start a chicken coop thread.


In reference to daily care. The only thing I do daily is gather eggs.

I built a sealed recirculating water system that uses poultry *******, and a bucket feeder. I fill them both every two weeks.

Thanks. A chicken coop thread could be fun!!!

I don't think the grass in the run will survive with the combination of shade and chickens but we'll see. I'm not going to start the dlm until the grass is gone. They will have supervised access to another 900 sq.ft. chicken yard that's behind the run that will hopefully remain grass.

I built PVC feeders and a 5 gallon horizontal ****** waterer. I also built a poop tray that's covered with PDZ. Makes life so much easier for my wife. We are really enjoying the chickens.

Here's some of the coop interior...

 

[drivesitfar]

Terry: The inside looks even better and I like all the semi automated designs for convenience. about how many eggs a week will you get with how many chickens? again WELL DONE!!

I agree you or somebody should start a Chicken Coop thread maybe in Free Parking because a lot of members like having fresh eggs.

 

[ddawg16]

That looks fantastic. I like how you made it both functional and good looking. Certainly not an eye sore.

I know you can't really tell the difference between a fresh egg vs store bought...but..there is just something about walking outside and grabbing breakfast in the morning. Fresh eggs...scratch biscuits....yum.

Our garden is small....but there is hardly a meal without something in it from our garden...in a few more weeks we should have artichoke.....

 

[TerryH]

Terry: The inside looks even better and I like all the semi automated designs for convenience. about how many eggs a week will you get with how many chickens? again WELL DONE!!

I agree you or somebody should start a Chicken Coop thread maybe in Free Parking because a lot of members like having fresh eggs.

Thanks! I research every project to death. Some days that's a blessing, some days a curse. In this case it was some of both. There are so many good ideas out there to make chicken keeping simpler.

Our 8 hens should produce about 5 or 6 eggs per day once they start laying. They are all brown egg layers.

 

[TerryH]

That looks fantastic. I like how you made it both functional and good looking. Certainly not an eye sore.

I know you can't really tell the difference between a fresh egg vs store bought...but..there is just something about walking outside and grabbing breakfast in the morning. Fresh eggs...scratch biscuits....yum.

Our garden is small....but there is hardly a meal without something in it from our garden...in a few more weeks we should have artichoke.....

I'm told that I will be able to tell the difference. Guess time will tell on that one. It'll be a couple more months before our are laying. It is very satisfying to be able to grown one's own food. My wife is an excellent cook. Can't wait for that first omelet!!

 

[ilovevocs]

Terry,

The inside is really nice. I was working with a chicken tractor last year and told the wife if we have them next summer ill build a nicer coop. The bill is coming due.

I dont know what breed your girls are but mine are a hybrid layer and they average right around an egg per day if they are well taken care of.

Next batch of birds will be pure breeds. They lay less but live longer, at least that is what I have learned from reading. I got too many eggs out of my hybrids, I give away one to two dozen eggs per week. Would prefer to scale back production and keep the birds around a little longer. You get attached to them quickly and before you know it they are part of the family.

Mine get treats of some form every day. They can hear my truck when I pull into the driveway and they start clucking away.

 

[TerryH]

Terry,

The inside is really nice. I was working with a chicken tractor last year and told the wife if we have them next summer ill build a nicer coop. The bill is coming due.

I dont know what breed your girls are but mine are a hybrid layer and they average right around an egg per day if they are well taken care of.

Next batch of birds will be pure breeds. They lay less but live longer, at least that is what I have learned from reading. I got too many eggs out of my hybrids, I give away one to two dozen eggs per week. Would prefer to scale back production and keep the birds around a little longer. You get attached to them quickly and before you know it they are part of the family.

Mine get treats of some form every day. They can hear my truck when I pull into the driveway and they start clucking away.

Yes to all. Amazing how fast they went from farm animals to part of the family. As soon as they see one of us they are all right there waiting for a handful of scratch or a few meal worms. The second that one of us sits down they are in our laps. Crazy chickens.

We have all pure breeds. 3 - Balck Austrolorps, 3 - Buff Orpingtons, 1- French Copper Maran, 1 - Black Laced Red Wyandotte. This pic has a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte that we are rehoming. We started with 12 but ended up with 4 cockerels.

 

[TerryH]

Thought I might as well show a couple pics of the sliding nest boxes that I built. They go on wooden slides under the poop tray. They slide back to the wall so the ladies can do their business in private and then slide out to the front for easy egg removal. I'll reinstall them once we get closer for time for them to start laying.

 

[BD1]

AWESOME setup ! You will definitely SEE and TASTE the difference of your farm fresh eggs. I have had chickens for over 30 years and they are the best livestock for a family.
Your entire setup is GREAT. One thing I did with my current coop is made it with wheels to move it around the property, works well.
I also bought used dog kennel panels for protection and them setup around the coop. Fox loves daytime chicken dinners, I found out the hard way along with a few other neighbors. I also set my nests up so I can get the eggs from the outside. No big deal but kinda nice since mine is not a walkin type.
You'll love those eggs for sure !

 

[Rileysan]

Thanks.

A chicken coop thread could be fun!!!

I don't think the grass in the run will survive with the combination of shade and chickens but we'll see. I'm not going to start the dlm until the grass is gone. They will have supervised access to another 900 sq.ft. chicken yard that's behind the run that will hopefully remain grass.

I built PVC feeders and a 5 gallon horizontal ****** waterer. I also built a poop tray that's covered with PDZ. Makes life so much easier for my wife. We are really enjoying the chickens.

Oh my - you are in the same boat as I am with the wife's pet chickens. What's painfully obvious is that space matters. I am building our coop on our 50 x 75 lot. I really wish I had more property, but it will have to do.

I have seen a couple of the ideas you have employed on Pinterest and will be building the same feeders for our 6 birds. I love the watering idea and would like to see more.

If you start the chicken thread, I'll be happy to contribute. I have lots of pix!

Brian

 

[simpler=better]

Deep bedding? Anti dig? Hardware cloth? Someone's done their homework

The pavers work great as an anti dig, a fox lives in our back woods and hasn't ever tried the coop (to my knowledge).

 

[TerryH]

Going to start the coop thread in Free Parking. Y'all come and join in.

 

[TerryH]

Coop/run thread is up...

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5775759#post5775759

 

[vintagespeed1956]

It's just a roofed outdoor space so cold would not be an issue. The roof caving in and crushing my wife's pet chickens, that would be DINNER.

fixd.

edit:

that's a pretty nice setup, those are some lucky birds.