Should I use Shade Cloth?

[serenityNH]

Hello!

I was wondering what others experiences have been with shade cloth covering the run? Instead of netting over the run I was thinking about putting up shade cloth, any suggestions to whether or not this is a good idea? I was hoping it would not only keep the run shaded from the hot sun but also help keep out some rain and snow?

Does shade cloth keep out rain at all?
How about snow?
Will snow collapse it if not put up with a pitched roof?

Thank you!!

 

[carrlr]

I have shade cloth over the length of my run. It depending on the time of day, but at least part of the run is always shaded. It doesn't keep out ran, but snow will accumulate on top of it. When the snow melts it will drip though. During heavy snow storms a significant amount of snow can collect on top of the cloth, but I haven't had a problem since I have wood braces that run accross the top of my run.

Added: Since I put the shade cloth up, the chickens seem to enjoy more time in their run.

 

[mdbokc]

It does not keep rain out when it is on top. It can help with wind driven rain.

Snow load can collapse it/tear it. It will sag and can eventually give it up. Depends on how you brace it.

I pull mine back during the winter.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Rain goes through it (which is an advantage to shadecloth vs tarp, since rain instead *pools* on a tarp and collapses it; shadecloth will not come down due to rain).

Snow however will collapse it pronto, unless it is just about as well supported as a solid roof would be. (Shadecloth does not rip easily "internally", but if you put too much snow weight on it, it'll just rip loose from where you have the edges attached to the run)

Will snow collapse it if not put up with a pitched roof?

Even WITH pitch, snow will still tend to collapse it, because snow won't slide off it well at all.

I would suggest covering the top of the run with shadecloth for summertime (remove shadecloth when snowy season approaches); you can also get a LOT of value from shadecloth put vertically on the S and/or W sides of the run fencing during the summer. It actually works better in terms of darkness of the shade it produces when it's on a vertical surface than on a horizontal surface.

One good way of making things easily removable and durable is to staplegun the well-stretched shadecloth to a frame of 2x2 or 1x2, so you have freestanding panels that you can attach or detach as season requires.

The most wonderful thing about shadecloth, IMHO, is that it does not flap in the wind. (well, virtually not at all, not if installed well). As opposed to tarps that will flap themselves apart or rip your run apart. It is great stuff. Not so much for snow season, however.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​