Addressing muddy run without roof

[Ajp23]

Hello from Dallas! Our chicken run is currently covered with wooden framing with inset wire panels and when it rains like it does here, we are left with a muddy mess.

We’ve considered adding corrugated roofing to cover the run but I’m worried that will create a heat problem in our 100+ degree summer. I’m picturing a green house effect that roasts my chickens but I’m paranoid . Does this have any effect on run temperature?

Outside of that, we would like to add wood chips to the dirt floor. What’s most available here is coarse pine or cedar mulch/chips or mixed hardwood that is unknown wood type but untreated. Are any of these safe to use? I’ve read conflicting info on wood type, specifically cedar.

 

[KyCoop]

Hello Dallas. You can and should add roofing and you won't roast your chickens. But I would use something like poly carb NOT clear.
I'm not a wood chip user so I can't advise on that front.

 

[igorsMistress]

Hello from Dallas! Our chicken run is currently covered with wooden framing with inset wire panels and when it rains like it does here, we are left with a muddy mess.

We’ve considered adding corrugated roofing to cover the run but I’m worried that will create a heat problem in our 100+ degree summer. I’m picturing a green house effect that roasts my chickens but I’m paranoid . Does this have any effect on run temperature?

Outside of that, we would like to add wood chips to the dirt floor. What’s most available here is coarse pine or cedar mulch/chips or mixed hardwood that is unknown wood type but untreated. Are any of these safe to use? I’ve read conflicting info on wood type, specifically cedar.

I wouldn’t do metal, it does absorb a lot of heat and will reflect that into the run. Wood chips and straw are excellent for the mud. They will improve the soil structure and you’ll have less of a mess, but will still need to add to it on occasion.

 

[UrbanHomesteadTX]

I'm also in the Dallas area! We are using corrugated tin for the roof of our run. The roof is 6 ft high and the run is well ventilated and is an excellent shade and helps keep the run dry. My experience so far is that the tin doesn't effect the temperature in the run, it's actually cooler under there because of the shade.

Heavy duty shade fabric is also a good option, but it will still get plenty wet in there during our fantastic heavy downpours. But if you have a slant to your roof it will take care of a lot of that letting the rain roll off.

(Or if your anything like me and cheap as hell; if you have a bunch of decent feed bags laying around, you can also cut them flat and layer them on a slant like shingles to wick that water right off. Do it right and you'll have little leakage.)

 

[Bonnieboo]

My husband built a lovely big coop for our 5 hens which we call the "Taj Mahal" and most of the time it has been ideal despite being made of galvanised iron.
However, we discovered over this last summer which was uncharacteristically hot that it had maintained the daytime heat and the poor chooks suffered at night. We were so concerned we purchase a water cooler for the coop which I continuously filled with ice and water. That certainly helped as I ran it all day. When the heat was unbearable I put a sprinkler on the tin roof.
Reading your posts made me realise we should have used frosted plastic sheets. That material is called Alsanite sheeting in Australia.
I'm considering asking my husband to change the tin roof to Alsanite.
So helpful to learn from other's experiences.
Thank you Backyard chickens

 

[igorsMistress]

Well, I take that back.

I’m in AZ and we get really hot too. There is corrugated roofing that’s fiberglass I think. You can get it in clear or white. That has lasted a long time for me and doesn’t get hot like metal.
Just thought of that, I have it on my coop roof.

 

[aart]

I was hoping adding a larger wood chip would help with this.

It should.

 

[Brooks_]

I’ve read conflicting info on wood type, specifically cedar.

The conflict is Eastern vs Western Cedar. Western, having less aromatic oils, is generally considered safe. In a run type situation I would consider either fine as there would be plenty of fresh air.

 

[aart]

How's the drainage...are you getting puddles in the run?

I like coarse wood chippings from a tree trimmer.
Hardwood would last longer.

 

[Ajp23]

The conflict is Eastern vs Western Cedar. Western, having less aromatic oils, is generally considered safe. In a run type situation I would consider either fine as there would be plenty of fresh air.

This helps a lot on the cedar, thank you! There’s a lot of air flow so this makes me feel comfortable using it.