Chicken run/yard question and NEW MEMBER!

[Bear1978]

Hello all, I am a new member and newish to raising chickens!

We are in the process of converting a playhouse that my kids have long outgrown into a chicken coop and building a 12x12 chicken yard/run for my 6 baby chicks to use once they are older.

The coop and yard is covered by a big Oak tree that provides shade to the area for about 95% of the day, until around 5:00pm or so. I live in Central Arkansas so the summer days can get pretty warm at times.

My initial idea was to build it 6ft high with hardware cloth all the way up and then cover the entire chicken yard/run area with barn tin.

With that being said, do I need to NOT cover it entirely to allow some sunlight into their yard area for the purpose of egg production and health of the chicken? If I were to not cover the entire space with barn tin then perhaps with chicken wire partially?

Thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[orloffer]

Welcome to BYC! There is so much to see, do, and learn here!

 

[David61]

Cover it. You're good with the light. Now they do like a sun bath but not when its hot.

 

[aart]

My initial idea was to build it 6ft high with hardware cloth all the way up and then cover the entire chicken yard/run area with barn tin.

Good to cover run with solid for rain and maybe snow.

Welcome to BYC! @Bear1978
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[rosemarythyme]

They do not need direct sunlight for egg production. Ambient daylight is enough.