Addressing muddy run without roof

[Sanleeher]

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.

Does this stuff bend? I want to put a hoop type top on my 13 ft wide run. Would these panels work on that?

 

[UrbanHomesteadTX]

Does this stuff bend? I want to put a hoop type top on my 13 ft wide run. Would these panels work on that?

They bend to an extent, about as much as tin does. I've used a few on my porch when I enclosed it. You can bend it to about 45 degree angle hotdog style.

 

[paintedChix]

(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.)

I've done something similar, LOL.

 

[paintedChix]

For a sample of a tin roof over a hoop coop - see Ms Biddys Cattle Panel Hoop Coop. For some reason, I can't link articles, but you can search it.

There are a few others that utilize tin roofs on hoop coops as well.

As far as tarps, over the year's we've used a variety of them. When it becomes very still in the heat, it can be almost as blistering hot under a tarp as under tin. What I've done, when filling waterers is dampened the litter. It can/does add humidity, so you have to decide if it helps or not.

I have also used the hose & sprayed the tarped roofs - this can lower the temps under the tarp a significant amount. The chickens do like it.

Edited to add - I imagine that spraying off the tin would be similar. Also, you could set up a sprinkler that sprays over the top of the roof

 

[paintedChix]

I live in hot and humid NC. I have a shade cloth over my hoop coop run.

Where do you get your shade cloth? How long has it lasted through our weather?

 

[BonnieBlue]

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.

Hi, South Louisiana here.

I have a polycarbonate roof (light color, not clear). To be on the safe side, I used a radiant barrier underneath to attach it to.

I used sand in my run instead of wood mulch because termites are a problem here. I have known people get termite problems in flower beds with wood mulch. Just food for thought if you are in a termite prone area.

 

[muddy75]

I found straw to be difficult to remove during clean out. Mulch was much lower maintenance

 

[Chick-in]

I honestly prefer road base in my outdoor runs. Then give the birds a sandbox for both grit and dust bathing. It's also easier to clean and reduce build up when compared to when woodchips and shavings gets drenched and mixed with chicken poo. Chicken poo is like glue.

Metal roofing is more affordable and I don't notice a temp problem, especially if it's a light color. My barn has metal roofing, but I do have a liner inside to reduce condensation. Outside I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[fuzzi]

Where do you get your shade cloth? How long has it lasted through our weather?

Amazon, and about a year now. I got the tan, didn't want black as it might absorb and radiate heat.

Before shade cloth:

The tarp started ripping after only a few months.

After:

I put one of the shade cloths over the tarp, securing it and keeping the back roosting area dry.

Air can pass through the shade cloth, and rain does get through too, but even in a downpour it only drips.

 

[paradisepentacoop]

I have tinted poly sheets as my roof in an area with HEAVY rain. The "flooring" is gravels and mulch. I do notice that the chickens avoid the really sunny center and seek the darker shade cast from the plants and pallet house I made. If I were to replace in the future, I would likely do opaque poly sheets.

Were you looking at metal for cost reasons, or something else?