Aluminet shade cloth?

[limited25]

Well ... I don't know what to think. What are you going to use if for then, if not for the run? I don't really see how it could regulate an area outside.

Think I would still use it and see.

 

[lovemy6hens]

I'm using the shade cloth on top of the run. I didn't buy the Aluminet because I was worried about heat retention. It can help regulate temperature on an enclosed structure (i.e.- a greenhouse). It's too expensive for me to take a risk on it not working for an open-sided run. I hope that clarifies it somewhat.

 

[lovemy6hens]

The ChromatiNet does make a significant difference in temperature. It was sunny and hot yesterday. I walked by the white/straw colored shade cloth on the east side of the run in the morning and felt the heat radiating from the cloth. Around noon, I walked under the ChromatiNet and didn't feel the heat. I had a double layer of black with the white/straw colored shade cloth on top before, so I think that's why it looked so bright. Here is a link with more information about ChromatiNet: http://www.green-tek.com/shade_nets_chromatinet.html

 

[Howard E]

This might be another option:

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplie...l-ft_prefabricated_shade_panels;1fa6e215.html

I am a bit surprised at how expensive shade cloth is.

BTW, birds left in the open do suffer in the heat. There is a place near where I live that must have 50 birds running around inside an open pen of maybe half an acre. No trees, no vegetation. Only shade is a too small, but elevated house that sits in the middle of it. On a hot day, every single bird in the pen is crowded under that house, looking out. Packed in there as tight as any commercial house, even though they have all that space to roam around in.

Wish there was a way to put the owner in there to spend an afternoon with them in our upper 90's heat. Things might change.

 

[lovemy6hens]

This might be another option:

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplie...l-ft_prefabricated_shade_panels;1fa6e215.html

I am a bit surprised at how expensive shade cloth is.

BTW, birds left in the open do suffer in the heat. There is a place near where I live that must have 50 birds running around inside an open pen of maybe half an acre. No trees, no vegetation. Only shade is a too small, but elevated house that sits in the middle of it. On a hot day, every single bird in the pen is crowded under that house, looking out. Packed in there as tight as any commercial house, even though they have all that space to roam around in.

Wish there was a way to put the owner in there to spend an afternoon with them in our upper 90's heat. Things might change.

Thank you for the link! I was surprised by the cost too.

Those poor chickens. I can't imagine how hot they are, all crowded together.

 

[lovemy6hens]

Update: We've had a lot of sun and high temperatures over the past couple of weeks. The ChromatiNet has continued to make a noticeable difference in temperature. It did rain once and the water did not pool up at all.

 

[lovemy6hens]

It's been almost a year since we got the ChromatiNet. It's been okay because it does reduce the temperature, but it's still not enough shade. We'll be adding a remant of Aluminet (if I can find one) as a layer over a section of ChromatiNet. If it works, I'll order a 10x10 panel.
Has anyone else tried either of these shade cloths?

 

[lovemy6hens]

I ordered AlumiCloth 80% in the 10'x12' size. It was much cheaper than Aluminet. The customer service people said the difference is that the cheaper AlumiCloth is imported and Aluminet is made in the US. Here is the link: http://www.shadeclothstore.com/products/sku-AL8000__dept-172.html

It made a huge difference in shade and temperature. We installed it over the ChromatiNet.