Putting a chicken coop on property with NO shade! Beginner needs help.

[Maton1]

Hi. We would like to get chickens but we only have one small space on our property that is big enough only for a Coop with a small run. We already ordered a Omlet Eglu with automatice coop door, and it's on it's way.

The biggest problem is that there is no shade because the area is right next to a pool and it's where I have vegatable highbeds. We have no trees and the Coop would be situated next to a cement wall that also reflects heat---although I have a Grapevine there that partially helps with that .

So my question is, would creating some artificial shade with umbrellas, or a sail/tarp cool it down enough? We are in Zone 6 and it can sometimes get some days in the 90's. Oh, and it can also get pretty windy(jeeez this ain't sounding good. ) Or maybe some kind of plant/vine or vegetable that we could allow to grow over the run to create shade?

Here's the thing ; we ALSO have another property that is just down the street (4 min. walk), from us. But we don't live there. There we have trees so there would be enough shade and the neighbors know us and are always looking.

So, the problem is although the other property is close to us ,,,,I'd still prefer of course to have the chickens where I live. I'm looking into Austrolorps, zwerg Welsumer. Any ideas?

 

[azygous]

Climate can be much different depending on where you live on the planet. Letting us know where you are generally located tells us a lot since your thread is dealing directly with this issue, and we can better envision solutions.

You need to consider winter temps as well as summer. The Eglu folks say that the coop is well ventilated, but to me it looks like a perfect oven. Our Native Americans in the southwest have traditional outdoor ovens called hornos that are shaped exactly like an Eglu. It leads me to suspect the Eglu is designed to maximize heat absorption. Perhaps your thread will invite others who are using Eglus to respond with their experience.

Here on BYC, the general consensus is that prefab coops are almost always disappointing. The reason is that there usually isn't enough space in them unless you severely limit the number of chickens. They are almost never designed with proper ventilation.

Keeping a happy flock depends a lot on you being happy, also. Having a proper coop and run designed to meet your needs as well as your chickens' needs and that meets your climate requirements are all very important.

You may have been a little too hasty in ordering this Eglu before taking everything into consideration you need to. Sometimes you can get the correct result for the same money as a result of a hasty poor decision. I suggest you cancel your Eglu order until after you've thoroughly explored the possibilities. You'll be a lot happier with the final result.

 

[Maton1]

We chose the best option we had in light of our situation, time, skills etc... Actually we got the coop because we concluded that the only option was to put it on the other property where shade is not a problem. I just keeep trying to think of ideas to create some shade and cool the area down a bit (with plants etc.). We were only planning on getting a few chickens. Definitely not to overcrowd it during the summer. We did look into the Coop and read reviews quit a bit. We read more positives than negatives and decided it was the best option considering the above. Plus depending on which property, we could add some Chicken fencing to let them round more. Again, though our place doesn't have that much extra space we could still set up some extra fencing to let them scratch for bugs somewhere else. I'd just prefer to have it close to me so that they could be in the fence longer during the day and I could just keep a watch from my window. We live in Europe so I don't think it would really help anyone. That's why I never bother although I know that's the first question people are going to ask.

 

[ColoradoPip]

If you are adding a fenced in area for them to go into, my initial suggestion would be to look for cheap/free tables, not glass obviously! Set it up and let them under it, now the chickens have shade.

If you get a heavy table it won't blow over, otherwise drill holes in the legs and put "U" shaped stakes through the hole and into the ground. The U shaped stakes like they make for staking down holiday yard decorations, for instance.

 

[Maton1]

Ok thanks! That's a good idea! So maybe it would be possible as long as the chickens are happy.

 

[Maton1]

One advantage to this coop is that it can be quickly dismantled and has wheels. So if I needed to and I saw that the chickens were unhappy in our place, I could just move it over to the other place.

 

[Maton1]

Maybe laying two Pallets over the top of the run ,,,with some greenery on top would create some good cool shade. (?)

 

[aart]

We live in Europe so I don't think it would really help anyone.

Always helps to know where
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

I have little to no shade either, I use shade cloths to help.

Deep all day shade is best but....
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[Maton1]

Ok Thanks. This was really helpful and thanks for posting those pics!

 

[Mtnboomer]

Hi. We would like to get chickens but we only have one small space on our property that is big enough only for a Coop with a small run. We already ordered a Omlet Eglu with automatice coop door, and it's on it's way.

The biggest problem is that there is no shade because the area is right next to a pool and it's where I have vegatable highbeds. We have no trees and the Coop would be situated next to a cement wall that also reflects heat---although I have a Grapevine there that partially helps with that .

So my question is, would creating some artificial shade with umbrellas, or a sail/tarp cool it down enough? We are in Zone 6 and it can sometimes get some days in the 90's. Oh, and it can also get pretty windy(jeeez this ain't sounding good. ) Or maybe some kind of plant/vine or vegetable that we could allow to grow over the run to create shade?

Here's the thing ; we ALSO have another property that is just down the street (4 min. walk), from us. But we don't live there. There we have trees so there would be enough shade and the neighbors know us and are always looking.

So, the problem is although the other property is close to us ,,,,I'd still prefer of course to have the chickens where I live. I'm looking into Austrolorps, zwerg Welsumer. Any ideas?

Allow the grape vine to cover the coop and run = shade in summer and light in winter