Polycarbonate Roofing... too hot?

[CrazyChickGirl]

Hi everyone New here! We currently have 6 chicks and are building our coop. We live in Central California where summers range from 80 degrees during the hottest part of the day, to up to 105 on the very hottest days, mid afternoon. Usually only a few days of the year though. I would love to use that polycarbonate roofing to allow lots of light into the coop. What do you think? Any recommendations as far as roofing? The coop will have 2 real windows, lots of vents, and double doors that can be opened up if needed during hot days to allow almost an entire open side. The chickens will also be allowed out of their coop during day light.

Thanks!

 

[Alaskan]

I think one of the coops in this thread used the plastic panels paired with shade cloth.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/163417/please-show-me-your-hot-weather-coops


I would strongly suggest going with an open coop.


There are some nice ideas on that thread I posted.

 

[jetdog]

I have it for my run and during the summer with the sun blazing it has to be at least 15 degrees cooler.I opted for the smoke grey, works great and very easy to work with.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Thank you. I'm concerned that an open coop might be too cold in the winter though. We get down in the 20's. Most of the year is fairly mild but we do get our cold and hot temps.

 

[Alaskan]

if your lows are in the 20s, that isn't bad. As long as they don't get wet, it would be perfectly fine.

heat kills chicken, but as long as they have plenty to eat, and don't get wet, cold is just fine until it gets to -20F. Even then it is manageable.


If you are very stressed about it, you could do a much more sheltered design, like a Woods coop.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/847168/woods-open-air-coop

and

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/445004/woods-style-house-in-the-winter

 

[donrae]

I've lived in central Ca--Modesto area--and kept birds that free ranged all the time, they slept in trees. They were fine, no cold issues. Heat will be your big issue there. 20 degrees is really nothing to a chicken--folks keep them in Minnesota and Michigan, and they do just fine.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Ok, wow, I'm close to Modesto! Thanks! I think we may make some adjustments then. I'm just confused because everything I've read thus far says that chickens need ventilation, but too much draftiness in cold weather can be bad...?

 

[Alaskan]

Cold weather = 10 F and much much lower

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Ok, so we are thinking of doing one whole open side now with hardware cloth, and then putting the roosting bars on the far side. There would also be a window on the far side to open for cross breeze during the summer. Does this sound right?

 

[Alaskan]

Yep, sounds lovely.


I would put a poop tray under the perch.