shaded run

[rugerr1]

Ok my run has a wire roof on it ro keep hawks out. But i was recently thinking about putting a solid roof over the WHOLE run and leave the sides open. The two reasons i was going to do this was one the shade to keep them from getting too hot and two to cut down on some of the rain turning it into a soggy mess. I have a small 6x6 area with a tarp over it for shade but thought more shade would be better or should i just do half of my run covered top? Thanks guys

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You can do a covered run. They will get plenty of sun as it moves across the sky. Make sure it is windproof and snowproof (oh you are in Alabama).

 

[rugerr1]

yeah we dont get much snow but wind and rain yes sir!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

yeah we dont get much snow but wind and rain yes sir!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/125769/dog-kennel-coops/70
I remember seeing this on my searches and thought I'd share to let you know that these things can turn into sails so secure them thoroughly...maybe ground anchors??? I know yours may not be a kennel but with roof could be sail.

 

[rugerr1]

yes thank you! I havent thought that far out but some sort of good anchor system will be a great investment

 

[aart]

Might want to make sure that the rain coming off the roof edges does not flow into the run...gutters...or just angling it to hit some ground that is sloped away from the run....or.....just think about where that water will go.

 

[JanetS]

Since my chickens can't free range because of predators, we have half their run with a solid roof and the other half with hardware cloth. When it rains they go over to the side with the solid roof. This gives them a dry place to stay. The other half, they can get some sun and they think they are "outside". This works great for us!