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Chicken run in complete shade?

6 replies

Cathpot · 01/08/2017 23:48

I've just got DH's tentative agreement for our first chickens! The issue is where to put the run. The best area for us is at the bottom of the garden as it would allow us to build a big run , walk in height between two rows of large shrubs and beneath trees . It's hidden from our house and out of the way of neighbours. My worry is that it is basically completely shaded (- certainly in summer- more light in winter) we would be letting them out into the main garden when we were around as well but that's not going to be everyday realistically. Would the run just end up too dank and/or cold? Do they need to be in the sun ? It's relatively dry due to tree cover and we could build in a roofed area for rainy days. Any advice would be great

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CountryCob · 11/08/2017 21:27

Much better to be shaded, our spot is shaded for most of the day and when it is hot they don't get baked good luck

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Cathpot · 05/08/2017 01:09

Thanks ~ all very useful info .

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Pasithea · 04/08/2017 22:00

I bought my point of lays in spring and spent ages with them. At first you only pick them up for a couple of minutes and put them down again. You need to get them now or in spring. Cold kids aren't fun.

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Cathpot · 04/08/2017 12:42

Thanks for replies. One of the run of shrubs is evergreen but the other side isn't so in winter it's much more open, it's going to take time to set it all up- September I would think. Do you think is it better in that case to wait and get them in spring? I'm thinking about getting them used to the kids and being handled etc and we are going to be out in the garden much less over winter. I'm excited to get started but I'm wondering if it's more sensible to wait?

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Pixel · 03/08/2017 19:09

At least it's the right way around, if it was going to be really hot in the summer with no shade but always dark in the winter I think that would be more of a problem. Ours tend to look for shade when it's sunny anyway and they can get overheated very quickly so I don't think the shady run in the summer is a bad thing as long as they can come out now and again for a bit of a sunbathe.
What about the winter though? You say it will be a bit lighter, is that because the trees lose their leaves? If you could make the most of it by making the run as light as possible then that could be ok. Our run is at the bottom of the garden too and though it gets some sun in the morning it is soon shaded by the trees at the back. We've built the run with a clear corrugated roof so it doesn't feel too dark and closed in. I don't think it can be too bad as it doesn't stop them laying.

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Pasithea · 01/08/2017 23:55

They need a covered area for shade and out of the rain. A house for nighttime and access to an area of sunlight. We have never regretted ours.

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