Texas heat shade idea!! (Pics included)

[jlpierce45]

I wanted to share my shade idea for my chicken yard for the upcoming summer. I’ve recently attached my coop to a large yard via a tunnel. This was mostly done to keep the dogs out of nesting boxes, and the chickens from pooping on our porch. (win/win) The chickens were grateful for the loads of extra space, but with it being open they did not stay out in the open very often, especially when full sun was out. I decided since they were going to need shade in the summer that I would add some hoop shaded areas. This also lets them stay out in the open for longer periods of time but feel secure underneath the shade cloth. Now while this will provide some shade, there’s no doubt that it won’t be enough during the brutal heat this summer. They also have a very shaded coop, as well as have access to a cattle stall that brings them completely out of sun. Here’s the pics! It’s not done yet, I had to order some more shade cloth since I underestimated the amount I needed.

 

[jlpierce45]

Great idea! It seems the dog likes it too!

Yes haha, everything I do for the chickens he thinks it’s for him he’s very spoiled this was him laying down in the fresh shavings I had just put down for the ducks.

 

[jlpierce45]

Here you go guys! It is completed, so heres some pictures!

 

[Noreaster Egger]

I used the aluminet shade cloth over part of my run for a couple of years. It works well although I do find they absorb some of the radiation and reradiate some of the longwave infrared back down to the surface...but it’s still better than having the full sun beating down.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D342QLR/

I decided to grow a bunch of grapevines along the run up cattle panel trellises and let the vines climb up and over the hawk netting. They get the grapes that fall in, the leaves provide shade in the summer, and then in the winter the leaves are gone and the sun can shine through. Win-win-win.

 

[jlpierce45]

Very nice! Where did you order the shade cloth from?

Amazon! $20 each, 6.5x10ft
BL 90% Shade Cloth Black Premium Mesh Shade Panel with Grommets for Plant Cover, Greenhouse, Barn,Top Shade Cloth Quality Panel for Flowers, Plants, Patio Lawn,6.5ft x 10ft https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089SS3H8J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RBB54NYZDE8TF6MK0850

 

[Finnie]

Yes haha, everything I do for the chickens he thinks it’s for him he’s very spoiled this was him laying down in the fresh shavings I had just put down for the ducks. View attachment 2558437View attachment 2558439

How awesome to have a dog that’s so great with the birds!

 

[aart]

Is shade cloth waterproof?

The stuff I have is a 'woven' (it's actually more like knitted loops) plastic mesh,
so yes it is water proof.
The higher the shade percentage the less light, air, and water, that will go thru.
I find mine (80%?) sheds a light rain fairly well, rather than letting it straight thru.

 

[3KillerBs]

Love it!

 

[jlpierce45]

Great thank you! (Just added some to my cart! ) And another question, how did you attach it to the cattle panels?

So my cattle panels are 4 ft, so I wrapped the extra 1 ft around and zip tied them to the underside of the panel! I can try to get a closer pic of the attachments if you would like. I just wrapped the excess onto the underside and zip tied the gromets of the cloth onto the wire of the panel!

 

[Lisa3315]

I know I'm a little late to respond to this thread, but thank you for posting this! We've been trying to come up with ways to shade our run, and this is perfect.