Run coverage question…

[mldlm]

I bought a sentinel coop (see attached) for my four chicks. We then placed it in a 10 x 15’ dog kennel. We covered it with chicken wire, as well as having the chicken wire going up 3 feet all around the bottom and out from the bottom (buried) 2 feet. They are very secure, however, my question is this: should I cover an end of the kennel for shade? The coop itself has a run under it that offers shade. That run is rather small so that’s why we bought the kennel. I live in central Florida and it is only going to get hotter. Is there enough shade under the coop, or should I cover one end of the kennel? On another note, I just bought two 6 foot grapefruit trees, which we will plant so that it provides shade for them and grapefruit for us. Thought? Thanks!

 

[swamphiker]

Hi there! Fellow Floridian here. More shade is always better in the summer. My coop's run has a sheltered area kind of like yours but my chickens usually ignore it and prefer to be under a big beautyberry bush or under the elevated shed on the other end of their yard.

Some easy/cheap ways to add temporary shade is to use old palm fronds or a shade cloth sail.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

They will likely go under the coop for shade but you might want to add cover because of bird flu. Chicken wire isn't very good predator protection (I have an old run where I used it but I wouldn't do it again) depending on what kind of predators you have. As long as they go in the coop at night they will probably be fine

 

[rosemarythyme]

I hope you added a LOT of ventilation to that coop, as it barely has any. In hot weather coops like that are basically ovens.

Agree on adding shade and rethinking the chicken wire (or at least layering over it with something more secure) as it won't keep anything out from mice and snakes to raccoons and dogs. Electric would help with bigger predators, but you'd still be open to pests getting in.

 

[mldlm]

Hi there! Fellow Floridian here. More shade is always better in the summer. My coop's run has a sheltered area kind of like yours but my chickens usually ignore it and prefer to be under a big beautyberry bush or under the elevated shed on the other end of their yard.

Some easy/cheap ways to add temporary shade is to use old palm fronds or a shade cloth sail.

Thanks! I will be adding more shade.

 

[mldlm]

They will likely go under the coop for shade but you might want to add cover because of bird flu. Chicken wire isn't very good predator protection (I have an old run where I used it but I wouldn't do it again) depending on what kind of predators you have. As long as they go in the coop at night they will probably be fine

Thanks. They are closed in the coop at night. I will work on more shade while I wait for the grapefruit trees to help out.

 

[mldlm]

I hope you added a LOT of ventilation to that coop, as it barely has any. In hot weather coops like that are basically ovens.

Agree on adding shade and rethinking the chicken wire (or at least layering over it with something more secure) as it won't keep anything out from mice and snakes to raccoons and dogs. Electric would help with bigger predators, but you'd still be open to pests getting in.

Yes, we put in additional ventilation. The picture shown was from the website for TSC. Thanks!

 

[mldlm]

Forgot to mention that I also installed solar fans in the coop. The apex of the roof. I installed one on one side, pulling air in and one on the opposite side that pulls air out. It works pretty good as I can feel the air coming out. We also painted a cooling reflective silicone on the roof (which turned it from black asphalt to white). Thank you for all your input.

 

[3KillerBs]

I hope you added a LOT of ventilation to that coop, as it barely has any. In hot weather coops like that are basically ovens.

Yes, we put in additional ventilation. The picture shown was from the website for TSC. Thanks!

This was my concern too.

In fact, in a hot climate area pulling all the siding of at least one wall off and replacing it with hardware cloth is a good idea.

 

[mldlm]

This was my concern too.

In fact, in a hot climate area pulling all the siding of at least one wall off and replacing it with hardware cloth is a good idea.

Yes, we did that, too! We open the side door and put hardware cloth there. Then we close the door at night.