Hoop Coop in TX, I think it might have been a bad idea

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

LOVE STORY 12' x 16' Rectangle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072P5PX5C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Don’t wrap in a tarp. I wrapped mine in a shade cloth. I’m in Arizona and this one has lasted me 3 years and still going. From 95-105 I just use box fans to move air. 105+ you have to use misters.

I thought about misters but herd they are not good in places with high humidity because they intensify the heat. I will put a little box with water out for them to stand in, when it gets hotter. I lost chickens last year due to the heat. It got to 105+. Sucks. I put frozen gallon jugs of water out for them to lay against, a kiddie pool with water in it. Everything I could think of. We did put a fan out for them. As soon as they are big enough they will be able to free range and find other places to cool off if they want. hopefully that will help.

I love AZ. It is beautiful. What part of AZ do you live in? I lived in Tempe, Mesa, and Apache Junction before moving back to TX. I love the mountains and dry weather.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Try to zip tie the tarp only part way down so they have shade but also a cross breeze. We use a tarp as a cover but not all the way to the ground. Also we only tarp 1/3 of the chicken run so they have shade if they need it

That is what we ended up doing. We are also putting up a shade sail as soon as we have a day of no rain.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Why are you under the impression that it's not predator proof? The tarp just provides protection from rain and snow.
There's hardware cloth over the cattle panels.

Yeah, you are right, the panels are covered. And we have a privacy fence. Not that, that will keep predators out but so far the only things I have found in my backyard are snakes and my chickens eat those.

 

[aart]

Everything I could think of.

Did you try electrolytes and ice blocks?
Details here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

I've found that shade cloths help but in full sun it's still pretty hot under them.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Did you try electrolytes and ice blocks?
Details here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

I've found that shade cloths help but in full sun it's still pretty hot under them.

Yeah, nothing I can do about the sun part. I wish we had trees. I already have electrolytes out for them, and I use frozen gallon jugs as well as a little litter box with water in it for them to stand in. We are going to put up a shade cloth on pole we cement in the ground. It is a couple feet wider so there will be more shade. Hopefully that will help. Texas summers are nasty hot. We are going to plant trees we just need to figure out how to do with our goats. And of course, it will not immediately help but hopefully in the future, if we can keep the goats from destroying them.

 

[ThatUserNameAlreadyTaken]

Thanks! I just posted a picture. It is sliver on the outside and blue on the inside. it does go all the way down to keep the rain out. The only thing on the inside is 2 nesting boxes and a roost, as well as their feed and water. Eventually they will be free ranging, when they are old enough. we did put a fan in there to help but I am really worried. It is at least 10 degrees hotter in there than outside. Its supposed to be 92 today.

One need recall that when a temperature is given, it is the ambient temperature (degrees in the shade, not in direct sun). If your hoop is exposed to direct sunlight, it is no wonder that the temperature varies, substantially, from the ambient temperature.

 

[ccory1234]

My husband and I built a hoop coop that is mostly tarped with 1/4 of the hoop not tarped and the ends not tarped. I have 10 young pullets in it. I went out there a few minutes ago and it was 102 in there! The tarp is just trapping heat! Does anyone else have this problem? I dunked my girls in a bucket of water ( up to the neck)to cool them off. Texas gets HOT. Summer hasn't even started yet. I am not sure what to do keep it from trapping heat. Is there a certain tarp I should get? We have no trees either. Any ideas are appreciated.View attachment 3494052

I have had decent luck with silver tarps that reflect heat, but it doesn't get that hot here in Kentucky. You might want to just cover the top portion to create shade and let the sides be open to circulate air through.

 

[NameIwish]

My husband and I built a hoop coop that is mostly tarped with 1/4 of the hoop not tarped and the ends not tarped. I have 10 young pullets in it. I went out there a few minutes ago and it was 102 in there! The tarp is just trapping heat! Does anyone else have this problem? I dunked my girls in a bucket of water ( up to the neck)to cool them off. Texas gets HOT. Summer hasn't even started yet. I am not sure what to do keep it from trapping heat. Is there a certain tarp I should get? We have no trees either. Any ideas are appreciated.View attachment 3494052

LOOKS LIKE A DARK INFRARED ABSORBING COLOR - close to the fence blocking air circulation which way does the wind blow there? Try turning it to best catch any breeze. Cute puppy

 

[LuciferRoo]

My husband and I built a hoop coop that is mostly tarped with 1/4 of the hoop not tarped and the ends not tarped. I have 10 young pullets in it. I went out there a few minutes ago and it was 102 in there! The tarp is just trapping heat! Does anyone else have this problem? I dunked my girls in a bucket of water ( up to the neck)to cool them off. Texas gets HOT. Summer hasn't even started yet. I am not sure what to do keep it from trapping heat. Is there a certain tarp I should get? We have no trees either. Any ideas are appreciated.View attachment 3494052

The easiest and cheapest way In can think of resolving this is making a second and large tarp enclosure to surround that one. Leave at least a foot of space between them.
The second enclosure will protect the first one from the sun's rays and the space will allow the air to circulate. Make sure that it is open on two ends.

 

[myluckychucks]

Why are you under the impression that it's not predator proof? The tarp just provides protection from rain and snow.
There's hardware cloth over the cattle panels.

Beg your pardon. This is a discussion and I was only putting forth an idea.