Canopy Added To Run

[jlwquilter]

I don’t have a lot of shade in the main run area. I have a shade bush planted but it’ll take to this fall to add anything substantial. I actually had to fence it off yesterday as the hens were eating the new growth too much.

Anyway, Lowes had a canopy on sale for the July 4th sales. $48, normally $79. It got pretty good user reviews so we decided to take the chance. So far so good.

Normally by this time of day all the hens are either in front of the fan or under the chicken shack platform. Now they can be out more. It also gives me more places to put a feed pr water pan that’s not in the baking sun.

If it lasts thru the summer and gives heat relief to the hens and me it’ll be worth the $48.

 

[Chickassan]

I like how you have your coop on a platform, that is really smart not to mention easy on the eyes.
Congrats on your bargain.

 

[jlwquilter]

Got one for the head rooster too!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I would set it up lower though so that it covers more shade and the shade doesn't move around too much when the sun does.

 

[Chickassan]

I hope he appreciates it!

View attachment 1845814 View attachment 1845815

Got one for the head rooster too!

 

[jlwquilter]

I like how you have your coop on a platform, that is really smart not to mention easy on the eyes.
Congrats on your bargain.

Thanks! That is the chicken shack which was a free pre-fab coop I got from a person moving. I had stopped to pick thru his garbage - lots of good stuff - and he came out with more stuff which ended up going right into my car - lol!

He had a fan he threw out and I asked if it worked. He said yes but a screw was missing so it didn’t oscillate. I said my chickens wouldn’t mind. He said ‘I have a coop I’m leaving behind. Want it?’ YES please!

DH and I came back with the truck and wrestled it in. It’s pretty big. It’s not quality and I’m afraid it’s not going to make it thru hurricane season but for the price it’s worth a try.

The land there is particularly low so a platform made sense to raise it up. Bonus is that the hens got shade. Platform is made out of garden posts from the same neighbor that gave me the sink (Another thread I started today). The platform is actually 16” or so above ground level. We filled it halfway with wood chips - enough to cover the wet ground and give drainage and still give the hens head room underneath.

 

[jlwquilter]

I would set it up lower though so that it covers more shade and the shade doesn't move around too much when the sun does.

That is one downside of this canopy. The legs telescope and lock at that high level. Anything less and it all slides back down. DH only set the coop one up yesterday for me so we’re still very much figuring it out. I may end up moving it to the east side of the run. Not sure yet. It takes up more space than I thought a 10’x10’ would. He had to sorta jam it in like it is so the north main coop doors would still open and close.

What I really need is for someone to throw out a working electric fence so I can expand my run area!

 

[Chickassan]

Oh wow that is like a dream picking day!
I'm amazed at what people toss or just leave that is still plenty good.
It is fine, more good stuff for us!
If more people put coops on platforms the stuff digging under issue wouldn't exsist.
I can't get over how much I like that! Thank you, for the idea i'm going to put up a small rooster/hospital/SHTF coop and you bet your butt it is going on a platform.

Thanks! That is the chicken shack which was a free pre-fab coop I got from a person moving. I had stopped to pick thru his garbage - lots of good stuff - and he came out with more stuff which ended up going right into my car - lol!

He had a fan he threw out and I asked if it worked. He said yes but a screw was missing so it didn’t oscillate. I said my chickens wouldn’t mind. He said ‘I have a coop I’m leaving behind. Want it?’ YES please!

DH and I came back with the truck and wrestled it in. It’s pretty big. It’s not quality and I’m afraid it’s not going to make it thru hurricane season but for the price it’s worth a try.

The land there is particularly low so a platform made sense to raise it up. Bonus is that the hens got shade. Platform is made out of garden posts from the same neighbor that gave me the sink (Another thread I started today). The platform is actually 16” or so above ground level. We filled it halfway with wood chips - enough to cover the wet ground and give drainage and still give the hens head room underneath.

 

[jlwquilter]

Heat of the day at 3pm. It’s flipping hot .

But now the hens are happy in the new shade eating a cool cantaloupe. If you look closely you can see hens under the platform as well.

 

[Nardo]

Heat of the day at 3pm. It’s flipping hot . View attachment 1845909

But now the hens are happy in the new shade eating a cool cantaloupe. If you look closely you can see hens under the platform as well.