bjectives:

- importance of poultry housing

- discuss to you the different types of roofs used in poultry house
- to know the types of roofing material
- chicken roof considerations
- explain the importance of choosing the right roof for poultry house
- compare what is the applicable roof to use in the Philippines and in other countries
Poultry production is a sector of the animal industry in agriculture throughout the world.
What is a poultry farm?
- Poultry farm is where domesticated birds are raised. Poultry include chickens, turkey,
ducks, and geese.
Majority of the people in the poorest regions of the tropics rely on poultry production as
their major source of protein supply. However, poultry production is hindered by the harsh
environmental conditions in this regions therefore, reducing the daily supply of protein.
- That's why it is very important to consider what type of roof you should use when
constructing a house for your chicks. It is very important to choose the right roof when
building a chicken house because their growth depends on it. It protects the birds from the
harsh environmental climatic conditions, which may have adverse effect on the chickens'
performance and productivity
In a poultry farm, it is very important for the birds to have their own shelter.
• To protect birds from adverse climatic conditions
• To ensure easy and economic operation
• To ensure scientific feeding in a controlled manner
• To facilitate proper micro-climatic conditions in a near vicinity of bird
• For effective disease control measures
• To ensure proper supervision
A poultry house should provide maximum comfort to the bird. It should have a healthy
atmosphere with good ventilation. It should be cooler during the hotter months and
comfortably warm during the cold months. It should have enough light and a comfortable
microclimate. While constructing a poultry house a future vision should be kept in mind, by
providing adequate space for future expansion.
TYPES OF ROOF USED IN POULTRY HOUSE
Gable roof: A classic triangular shaped roof that provides excellent rainwater drainage. it's
commonly used in poultry houses.
Hip Roof: All slides slope downwards, offering increased stability and wind resistance.
Gambrel Roof: Resembles a barn roof and providws more vertical space. It's suitable for
larger poultry houses.
Flat Roof: Simple and cost-effective, but requires proper drainage systems to avoid water
accumulation.
Shed: This type of roof is out dated. This has a wall which is totally enclosed on one side with
the roof slanting forward. Ventilation is only on one side. No cross ventilation
Half Monitor: In this system one roof overrides the other leaving a small gap of 6" which is
closed by using a mesh. These houses not only allow cross ventilation but also as ridge
ventilation. This roof type is more suitable for the tropics.
Full Monitor: This is costly and needs a special truss. It is provided with ridge ventilation
where warm air within the house escapes out and the vacuum is filled by fresh air drawn
from the outside.
Roof should be:
 Simple and attractive,
 Strong, durable and all weather proof
 Poor conductor of heat
 Less hygroscopic
 Cost effective.
Extended Eaves
I love an extended roof or porch eave because:
- They provide shade in hot weather
- Keep snow from falling onto you from the roof when you open and close the door in
the winter
- They give you and your birds a dry outdoor space and will keep the coop from getting
quite as muddy
- Give you another area to keep food and water in a covered area without taking up
precious interior space
- Add another space for chickens to hide from flying predators, especially birds of prey
Rainy Areas
For rainy climates, go with a tin roof because it overlaps with fewer seams than other
building materials. Consider adding a layer of plywood beneath the tin to prevent excess
moisture from dripping down on your hens, though this is optional. Just make sure you have
long eaves for the sides of the building and a way for the water to disperse away without
causing flooding in the coop area. You can use rain gutters, rain chains, or slope a hillside to
keep the space dry. Remember to lay down rock, too, to prevent excess mud. I suggest
adding a small porch over the door too. Hens will appreciate the outdoor space and fresh air
that doesn’t drench them. You may also like it because it allows you to open and close doors
and collect eggs without getting wet.
Hot Climates
If you live in a hot area, you should look into these chicken breeds that thrive in the heat.
Snow Load
When planning and building your chicken coop roof, you must consider the potential snow
load. Plan for the heaviest possible snow your area could receive so that your coop won’t
collapse during an unexpected winter event. In my area, the snow accumulates from
November through late May and sticks around until mid-July. We can have six feet of snow
at my elevation of 4,200 feet; places at 7,000 feet or above routinely have 16 feet of settled
snowpack. The snow load per square foot here is 127.8 psf, though it ranges up to 410.7 psf
for Region 1 of Northwestern Montana. For snowy climates, use heavier beams, solid wood,
and metal on top to help shed the snow better. Do not use metal as your only roof covering,
as the snow could rip the metal from the screws and collapse. You need something stronger
beneath the tin as support. The roof should have a steep pitch, with some overhanging
eaves, and the eaves should direct the snow to a side (or sides) of the coop where snow
buildup is okay. You don’t want the snow to pile up in the way of your or your chickens’
access points. And while this doesn’t relate to the roof, ensure your egg collection box is
situated so you can access it all year, even with deeper snow. I made the mistake of putting
the box too low, so I have to shovel snow away regularly or lay on my stomach in the snow
to reach down into the box. It’s hip-high in the summer and ankle-high in the winter.
Cold Climates
Cold climates may require added insulation in your chicken coop’s roof (and walls). If you
need a few inches of insulation in the roof, account for that in your building plan, so you still
have the headspace you desire. It’s easy to end up with less space than anticipated if you
don’t carefully plan. If you live in a cold area, you should consider these chicken breeds that
do well in the frigid cold.