Shade cloth?

Will shade cloth help keep the chickens cooler? Do you use it?

Anything that can keep direct sunlight off the coop will help. Additionally, keeping the run in the shade will help too. Personally, I prefer to use trees for this as they automatically adapt year round (more sun in the winter for heat, less sun in the summer for cool), but that obviously takes years to get that lined up. Good for planning long term though.

I'd like trees but unfortunately there's no space for them by my coop

Shade cloth will certainly help. I double it up, as a single layer, even the 95% cloth, isn't enough for me (half way between Phx and Prescott). If you can do it, have a double layer of shade cloth, then a couple feet gap, and another layer. That'd mimick how trees provide multiple layers of shade, each a ways apart.

We had to cut down the large oak that shaded my coop so I have some shade cloth up now. Not super hot here yet, but I'm sure it will help when the heat comes.

Any shade helps. You will need to watch and see if it is enough. IMO, something solid, like canvas or a tarp gives better shade.

townchicks said:

Any shade helps. You will need to watch and see if it is enough. IMO, something solid, like canvas or a tarp gives better shade.

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It can, but it often traps the heat, similar to how a tin roof, or any roof, like a shed, traps heat and gets hotter than outside at the right time of day.

Yes, I’ve used it.

Yes, it helps.

Yes, there are different kinds-usually they will indicate how much sun they block and how much air transmission.

I bought a roll of shade cloth. 5’ -6’ tallX50’ long. I cut out appropriate lengths and folded the edges, and sewed a hem that was thicker bc it was rolled. Can be done on regular sewing machine -just use synthetic/outdoor/heavy duty thread -at least a polyester thread, if nothing else. Then I added grommets to hang. I spent the time to make the hem to better enable the grommets to hold. But, you can likely figure out a no-sew solution, as I am just sharing what I did. HD Zip ties to attach it to the fence.

PROS: much cooler. Cons: can’t see the chickens very well.

So, we built a narrow raised bed next to the south side of the run. We planted birdhouse gourds (readily available nearly everywhere in packets), and they grew and provided shade by climbing up the run fence and have big leaves. They are not toxic to the birds-mine ate any part they could reach. The shade with plants like this is cooler bc the plant is respiring moisture.

This year the gourds will shade something else. So, we have planted a decorative and edible climbing bean (must find packet to tell you what it is exactly) and a climbing snap dragon. They beans just sprouted today, and the snapdragons do not have sprouts yet. So, I’m not sure how much shade either will provide yet.

Depending on your climate, you can do many things, but shade cloth is a good option if you need something immediate.

We have also used a large sheet of extra OSB board propped up for shade. But, it’s the least attractive option.

Gourds early in the season:



Gourds later in the season: great shade.