shade for the chickens in the run area

[blueseal]

i would like to see some pictures of everyones ideas for shade. i was thinking of putting up some tarps. i have 2 trees they go under when its hot.

 

[StupidBird]

I learned that the wind can really make a poorly secured tarp travel and that what ever the tarp is secured to, needs to also not move. Keep lots of open underneath or it gets oven like. And the birds always think the big blue monster is going to eat them when it moves.

 

[gavinandallison]

First of all I will admit - My name is Allison and I am a chicken addict ...

The hubby and I started out with a small coop and a ideal of a chicken tractor -

the plan then grew to a " coop " which we had build ...

then came the 10' X 6' chain link fencing with a top and a 40 ' X 60 ' chicken palace ----

To shade my girls I have taken old blankets and draped over the side to offer shade - I also freeze water bottle every night so the ladies can stand on them for a cool retreat ... oh and did I mention the 27 " box fan that keeps a breeze on them ??

Yes I am Allison and I admit - I have a problem --- I LOVES THEM BIRDS

 

[teach1rusl]

I do have a tarp (two actually) for shade. I punched a few large holes in it so that it does not allow rain water to pool (not that I've had issues with THAT anytime recently - we've been parched in this area). One tarp is permanent and well attached, while the other, not so much, as it's temporary. The birds have gotten use to its rattling in the wind, even my "chicken" chicken.

 

[rrgrassi]

For shade, mine go under the coop, or under the trees that they have in thier 800 square foot run.

 

[madimorg]

We covered half of our run with metal roofing so they have shade and also profection from the rain if they are still out in the run.

 

[smarsh]

they make shade cloth that comes in varying degrees of blocking power. google shade cloth, it is pretty cheap.

 

[possumqueen]

Quote:
Smarsh hit it on the head! the shade cloth is permeable so it doesn't collect water, it lets breezes through so it doesn't blow around, and it's fairly soft so it doesn't make a lot of racket. It also stands up to sunlight a lot better than those blue tarps do. comes with grommets for tie downs. Farm Tek is one company that sells it.

 

[biddyboo]

Our chicken coop and chain link enclosed chicken yard are on the east side of our metal barn. The north side of the barn has a thick grove of shrubs that we had let go wild: mostly russian olive, thick shade. We enclosed that shrubby area with temporary plastic fencing to see how the hens would like the wildness. They love it, so we'll make this temp fence permanent during the winter so they'll have a secure expansion area next summer. In addition to this shady area, they shelter under their coop and also have access by way of a pop door to an 8 x 12 enclosed pen inside the barn. Lots of choice and they use all the areas. ~G

 

[JayBird+16]

We have lots of blackberry bushes in the run that everybody goes under when it's hot, plus they get to eat blackberries when they are in season. I have a friend who planted grapes over a short arbor, her chickens get shade and grapes.