Author Topic: Best roof for hen house (Read 3059 times)

Dans · « **on:** February 05, 2016, 11:02:36 pm »

We have converted a shed to a hen house but there is only felt on one side so we need to fix it. We were going to just put new felt in but then I thought I remembered that felt wasn't good for red mite. What are the alternatives? I started thinking about plastic corrugated sheets, would that works?

If you could redo your hen house what would you choose for your roof?

Dans

Rosemary · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2016, 07:57:25 am »

We've used Onduline for both of ours and it's worked well. You need to make sure that it's well supported by a wooden frame or heavy rain / snow can cause it to sag.

Womble · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2016, 09:55:52 am »

If you already have a wood / felt roof, personally I'd just re-felt it and not worry. There will always be nooks & crannies in a wooden shed that mites can hide in, so whilst a felt roof isn't great from that point of view, neither is it always the source of the problem.

Felt is cheap and cheerful, there's a good chance you'll never get red mite anyway, and if you do, THEN you can replace it with something else for only the same effort you're contemplating now[size=78%].[/size]

Just my 2p worth.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2016, 10:29:25 am »

I use Onduline but have also used thin external ply (supported by cross beams) with lino, tarpaulin and conveyor belting on top and slightly overlapping.

Rosemary · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2016, 10:29:52 am »

In support of Onduline, it's really easy to put on - well, ours was because there wasn't any cutting involved. We've just done the outside WC roof with it as well as the felt was shot - Dan cut it with a hand saw but it killed the blade.

JEP · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2016, 04:30:34 pm »

ask at some window comp if they have some perspex sheets
ive got 4 shed with them

Dans · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2016, 12:09:56 am »

Thanks guys. As hubby has already bought the felt we'll go with that for now but will look into the onduline if we get redmite problems.

Dans

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2016, 09:23:03 am »

Even with Onduline red mite will cluster under every spot the sheeting touches the roof support timber. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is proof against red mite!

Stereo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2016, 09:40:43 am »

I use Onduline and it's good but as mentioned you need close centers or it will sag. I like it as it's really easy to put on and gives natural ventilation.