While chickens can protect themselves and survive harsh weather conditions with the bare essentials, you may be asking yourself, do chickens really need a roof? After all, roofing can be quite expensive, so is it all that necessary?
In total, a chicken coop needs a roof to provide chickens with protection from the elements and predators. While chickens are hardy animals, a roof is an essential component of a chicken coop, providing protection from the elements and predators, and maintaining a stable temperature.
In this article, we will discuss why chickens need roofs on their coops and the advantages and disadvantages of the three most popular types of roofing materials: plastic sheets, metal sheets, and shingles. After that, we will go over some frequently asked questions about chicken coop roofing.
Why do chickens need a roof on their coop?
- Protection from the elements: Chickens need shelter from the rain, snow, and sun. A roof on their coop provides a dry and shaded area where they can stay comfortable.
- Protection from predators: Chickens are vulnerable to predators such as foxes, raccoons, and birds of prey. A roof provides a barrier between the chickens and these predators, reducing the risk of an attack. For a complete guide on keeping your chickens safe and secure, check out my article on 25 tips to keep your chickens protected!
- Maintaining temperature: Chickens are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. A roof helps to maintain a stable temperature inside the coop, which is important in both hot and cold climates.
Are Plastic Sheets Good For Chicken Coop Roofing?
Plastic sheets such as PVC material, or polycarbonate material can provide excellent roofing for your chickens. The most frequently used plastic roofing materials are PVC sheets and polycarbonate sheets. However, polycarbonate sheets are of superior quality and higher in price as compared to PVC. This is because polycarbonate is more resilient, making it last significantly longer than PVC.
Advantages:
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Affordable
- Come in different colors to match the color of the coop and run
- Provide good protection from the rain
- Snow slides off easily
Disadvantages:
- Can tear easily in windy conditions
- Can degrade over time with exposure to sunlight
- Can be broken during hail storms
- Can have a greenhouse effect on the coop, raising the temperature (this could be a good thing for cooler environments)
- Not very durable and may need to be replaced frequently
Are Metal Sheets Good For Chicken Coop Roofing?
In Total, Metal sheets are an excellent source of roofing for your chicken coop. Metal sheets are a common choice for chicken coop roofing, with galvanized steel and tin being particularly popular in both corrugated and non-corrugated varieties. These materials often come with baked-enamel coatings, which enhance their durability.
Advantages:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Provide good protection from the rain and snow
- Can be fire-resistant
- Resistant to pests and rodents
Disadvantages:
- Can be noisy during rain and hail storms
- May rust over time
- More expensive than other options
- Can cause condensation in cold environments
Are Shingles Good For Chicken Coop Roofing?
Shingles are a highly recommended roofing material for chicken coops. Although installing shingles requires more steps, they are a safe and long-lasting option for protecting your chickens. With this option, you must have some plywood already ready to go in order to install your shingles.
Advantages:
- Provide good protection from the rain and snow
- Durable and long-lasting
- Can be fire-resistant
- Come in a variety of colors
Disadvantages:
- More expensive than other options
- Difficult to install – If you’ve ever done any roofing, you know.
- Not as effective at protecting against predators
Chicken Coop Roofing FAQs
Can clear plastic panels be used as a roof for chicken coops?
- Generally, it’s not a good idea to use clear plastic panels for roofing since you can provide a greenhouse effect to your chicken coop raising the temperature to unsafe levels. Especially if you live in a warmer environment.
What color plastic panels are best for my chicken coop?
- In total, any color that’s not dark. White is usually the best, but any off-white or mild color should do the trick. If you get a darker color, they can get excessively hot and heat up your coop.
Should my Chicken Coop have eaves?
- It’s a great idea for your chicken coop to have eaves. Eaves provide additional shade and protection for your chickens. When it rains, eaves can prevent water from spoiling food/nesting areas inside your chicken coop. Having eaves will also prevent predators from climbing on top of your chicken coop so easily.
Should I put plywood underneath the metal and plastic roofing?
- I think it’s a great idea to have plywood underneath your metal and plastic roofing. Not only does this increase the protection for your chickens, but it also eliminates the issues with warmth and condensation. Having plywood underneath acts as an insulator between the chickens and their roof.
Should I put hardware cloth underneath my chicken coop roofing?
- In total, it’s an excellent idea to put hardware cloth beneath your choice of roofing for your chicken coop. This provides an excellent source of protection in case you have an aggressive predator trying to break in at all costs. Out of the three types of roofing, plastic roofing would be the type that could use the hardware cloth the most – since it’s prone to breakage. I’ve created an article devoted to showing the benefits of hardware cloth over chicken wire, check it out if you have time!
Conclusion
In conclusion, a roof is an essential component of a chicken coop, providing protection from the elements and predators, and maintaining a stable temperature. There are various options for roofing materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Plastic sheets are affordable and easy to install but not very durable. Metal sheets are durable but more expensive. Shingles are durable and come in a variety of colors but are more difficult to install. In the end, it’s best to choose the roofing material that best suits your needs and budget.