Ideas for shade in chicken run?

[BentWillow]

My husband just built this chicken coop and run last week. It is perfect right now while the weather is so nice. We are worried about the lack of shade once it gets a little hotter. Can anyone recommend something? We want it look nice as well as being fun and practical. Thanks!

 

[nccountrygirl]

You could use tarps. They work very well.

 

[BentWillow]

Thanks Laura, that could probably double as rain protection too.

 

[Katy]

You can get shade cloth at places like Lowes and Home Dept. The problem with a tarp is it will collect the rain and sag or collapse the top of you run. Shade cloth is woven so the rain goes through.

 

[BentWillow]

Good point about the tarp. I was hoping for some sort of ideas for shade inside the run too.

 

[belibutn]

we haven't built our coops and runs yet, but we plan on using corrugated metal for both the roofs and extra shade. The main reason for that is for gray/rain water collection. We plan on using collected water for the chickens.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I put the shade cloth over the top of the wire on the top of the run and it shades the inside of the run.

 

[BentWillow]

My response wasn't very clear, sorry! I understood what you meant about the tarp. What I meant to ask was, are there any sorts of boxes or lean-to units we could build for the run that would shade the chickens if we didn't want to use tarp? We don't want it to look junky.

 

[NoelTate]

if you want something fast, just plant some morning glory vines on it...they do well in sun and will provide a thick cover....or maybe a running rose? I am about to cut the pecan tree that hangs over my coop, and I am going to plant some sort of vine over the part that is in the sun, although I have tin over 1/3 of it.

 

[S0rcy]

Bury 4 2x4's in the ground and then make a half "tent" with shade cloth on 3 sides and on top.. We did this regularly with our show ponies, it was easy and could be taken down if necessary. The shade cloth can be stapled on with no problem.