Can you have too much shade in a hot climate?

[chfriedmam]

I'm in SoCal. Is this too much shade in the run? It's completely covered but gets sun from the sides. I do occasionally let them out, but let's assume they live in the run. I mean, are they getting their requisite hours of sunlight for egg production? Am I interpreting sunlight too strictly? Like, do they need sun shining on them??? ty

I changed it up bc the chunnel was impossible to clean. For those who always ask, 17 chickens right now. Also, I want to take responsibility for the crappy roofing job before the purists here point it out. There is a slight pitch, and I may even drill some holes so rain can get through. (Rain isn't a big deal here.). 10 ft panels were just so much more than 8 foot ones...

 

[Tonyroo]

I'm confused by your picture, did you reconstruct your run or is that the coop?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I will sometimes even put a board up that faces the sun so the coop will not get too warm.

 

[chfriedmam]

I'm confused by your picture, did you reconstruct your run or is that the coop?

The coop is the green building in the back. I reconstructed the run. But ya, it basically could be a coop at this point!!!! I just added all the pickets for looks, its 8foot panels with hardware cloth.

 

[Tonyroo]

I would say that's too dark for them, consider removing some of those side panels. All you need is a solid roof on the run to remove any sunlight. And keep the sides open so they can get filtered light from there perspective.

 

[3KillerBs]

In a hot climate it's nearly impossible to have too much shade or too much ventilation.

Hot Climate Chicken Housing and Care

If there is a little bit of direct sun coming from the sides they'll be able to sunbathe if they want to. They don't need sunshine specifically to lay as much as they need hours of daylight. It's possible to get that without direct sun.

 

[SourRoses]

We have a really shady yard (old oaks), it's good for the birds in a hot climate. You don't have to worry about light level to prompt egg laying, since they only need a very low lumen level, a full moon amount. The limiting factor is vitamin D. They need D for calcium to work properly. If you get weak shells you can supplement D, or open up a certain area specifically for sunbathing.

 

[fuzzi]

In a hot climate it's nearly impossible to have too much shade or too much ventilation.

Hot Climate Chicken Housing and Care

If there is a little bit of direct sun coming from the sides they'll be able to sunbathe if they want to. They don't need sunshine specifically to lay as much as they need hours of daylight. It's possible to get that without direct sun.

My chicks soaking up a few rays...once it gets hot and humid here they will appreciate the shady spot they're got.

 

[chfriedmam]

I’m going to take down some of the vertical pieces, which are just for looks but are too much. That will give a little more sun from the sides too

 

[perkolator]

Shade isn't an issue, but the close spacing of those vertical slats and a solid wall/bushes on the opposite side might be a hindering airflow on those hot days. Taking down like 75% of those would be a good thing IMO