Cover for cattle panel run

[21hens-incharge]

Does this shade cloth block rain?

No. It does slow it and with an angle on it when its put up WILL shed most of it. It breaks the big drops into small more mist like ones and unless hail is giant will block hail.

 

[Krugerrand]

I put the plastic on before the first heavy snow. We may get a couple light snows and then head back into the 70-80° range. It tends to be November when I put it on.
I remove it in late April but don't add the shade cloth until late May since the sun isn't really hitting it until then.

Oh and yes it lets muted light in. I think light in the coop AND in the run are both important. A dark coop and dark run keeps them less active which means less eating. I think it's actually critical to keeping them healthy.

@21hens-incharge - when the plastic has been up, do you leave parts open for ventilation?

I'm not seeing anything here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_20191126_134607-jpg.2236627/

 

[21hens-incharge]

@21hens-incharge - when the plastic has been up, do you leave parts open for ventilation?

I'm not seeing anything here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_20191126_134607-jpg.2236627/

Ahhhh yes the pic doesn't show it but there is a gap next to the structure a few inches wide over the whole arch. There is also a very small gap above the door.
As soon as the sides get cleared either by melting or by shoveling I raise those 18"-36" on both sides. The plastic is 100% just to keep actively falling rain/snow out.