Chicken Run too much sunlight?

[sir jon]

Hi Everyone,

I am getting ready to start the adventure of raising chickens, and the first step is converting an old unused shed to a coop.

To save money and minimize the amount of posts and wire needed, I would like the run to extend out in front of the coop. However, I am worried because there is no shade in the run for ~4hrs of the day up here in Northwest Washington.

Here is what the light looks like in mid afternoon. The run footprint that I want is marked in blue:

Is this too much sunlight ? The summer months can get as hot as 90-100 for a week or so but winters have long nights and can get as low as 10 but average 40. As you can see there is no "deep shade" for the hours of peak sunlight.

To give a full picture of what I am working with, here is what the back and side of shed look like during peak afternoon sun. My neighbor suggested putting the run in the back but I am concerned with the grade, drainage, and amount of sunlight during winter months (you can see his coop in the distance).

Back Right

Back Left
Side of shed.

Blue is desired run footprint. Red is an extended run idea that wraps around back but would require more $ and labor which I would like to avoid.

Some other ideas I had are:
- cut out a second door in the back and have two run areas.
- Build a tiny awning out of scrap wood in the blue coop area for shade in the summer months.

Any input is appreciated. I am very excited to own chickens but I want to make sure I am doing it right.

 

[Earthdale]

Is it possible to lean a board against the fence to provide some shade?

 

[sir jon]

Is it possible to lean a board against the fence to provide some shade?

Yes.

There is some scrap wood from an old treehouse I can use to build a make-shift section of fence with an awning in one of the corners of the run.

 

[Earthdale]

If you can provide some shade it should be fine. They can also go into the coop if neccesary.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Shade cloth or a sort of lean-to of wood like this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ut-cattle-panels.1524690/page-2#post-25688041 would provide plenty of shade.

That said, it looks like the coop is shaded at least and the highs aren't extremely high, so you'll probably be ok even without adding anything, but yes it'd be best if the chickens had somewhere to get a bit of relief on the hottest days.

 

[aart]

However, I am worried because there is no shade in the run for ~4hrs of the day

4 hours without shade shouldn't be a problem.
They can go into the coop, or you can lean some stuff for shade(as already mentioned), or you could put a solid roof on the run.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

You'll want some "clutter" in the run anyway so it should be fine as long as you've got some things like a pallet up on blocks, a box on it's side, overturned plastic lawn chairs, etc. in there.

 

[rayrose]

I'd take your neighbor's advice and put the run in the back.
In the heat of the summer, the best way your birds can cope with the heat and cool down is shade. They aren't going to go into the coop to try to cool down. You already have a natural set up, so take advantage of it.