How do you shade your run?

[Katiedid]

Right now we're using tarp. We've planted some fruit trees, which should provide shade in 5 - 10 years. I'm not in love with the tarp (it's windy here) so I'm thinking of using wooden panels and creating a wooden roof for the run. (It's currently protected by chicken wire to prevent predation and a tarp is hung underneith. The wind blows it and it's loud and requires maintenance. We get maybe two days of snow a year, so I don't think the wood would have snow issues.

Anyway, I'd love to see pics of other people's runs, just to be nosy and maybe steal ideas.

 

[FireTigeris]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/album/view/id/6177963/user_id/44847

I have real trees...

and the back 1/3 is mostly closed in

 

[BeulahBreezes]

Trees.......and sometimes I do put a tarp or large cloth over the pen area for some addtional shade until the sun moves behind the pines, then they get tons of shade! ~Beulah

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Our run is attached to the side of the barn in a lean-to style. First, it's covered with hardware cloth. On top of the hardware cloth I use a sunshade. It's also shaded by three large trees.

Here is the link to the sunshade I use. Very handy. Lets air blow through easily. My only wish is for it to came in a larger size other than 10x10 but I just connect them together. With this cover it should be the only source of shade needed. It provides plenty of shade but light still shines through. It gives 70% sun protection. I've used the same ones going on 7 years now so they hold up very well. I secure them with plastic zip ties with no problems from wind and we've had some very bad wind storms!

http://www.tractorsupply.com/pet-tough-trade-pet-kennel-shadecover-10-ft-x-10-ft--3606643

 

[Katiedid]

How funny, our second run is the dog run underneath there! I balked at spending the 50 bucks, but I've already wrecked one (already in bad shape) tarp and bought a new one, so I'll probably end up spending the 50 on tarps in the next few years anyway. I'm jealous of all of you with trees. We've planted a bunch, but it just takes time.

 

[chfite]

A frame with a vine that grows fast would provide shade much sooner than trees. There are many such vines: Confederate Jasmine, Carolina Jasmine, Honeysuckle. Grapes are deciduous and produce fruit for the chickens. Small trees that grow fast might help. Elderberry grows fast.

We let volunteer tomatoes grow up the fencing for shade and forage. I was lucky and had a shaded location for the coop and run.

Chris

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I use a cargo net from northern tool. It's very sturdy, cheap, provides filtered shade, doesn't hold water and protects from hawks. Comes in different sizes.