Chicken Run (weather protection)

[Anonymous]

I'm busy contemplating the best way of offering rain/snow/wind protection in a run. I was thinking of having a covered run, with either a clear onduline roof or recycling my conservatory roof when its knocked down! Would this be ok or would it be best to have it enlcosed with just mesh, using tarpaulin sheeting when its wet/windy etc?

We have diagonal rainfall aswell as vertical here and I will be wanting side protection of some description. I was thinking of tarpaulin sheeting which could be attached by hooks and rivets, then removed again when the weather has improved.

The things that are confusing me (it doesn't take much!) is whether the sheet would have to be the full height/length of the run on whichever side it was required and if it is, how would that affect the amount of sunlight the chooks would get? Obviously I want them to get as much as possible. The chooks will only be in the run while I'm at work. Once I'm home they will be free to wander round the garden.

Could I get away with just having part of the run covered? - I intend on having a raised house which is boarded at 3 sides around the bottom allowing shelter and somewhere for the food to be stored underneath.

I have looked at various photos and haven't yet seen any examples by which to follow.

I hope you can help.

Thank you

Donna. x

 

[snifter]

I just used to use heavy duty clear plastic sheeting over a section of my run. Because of its design I didn't really need hooks or anything as I could clip it into the panels once draped over the top.

I'd just look at putting the sheeting on the side of the run where the sun isn't go to come from and cover a section of it side and top. If they have a space under the hen house to shelter they won't need too much more cover. Might be worth covering round the sides of that, or at least one/two sides to give a bit more protection.

I'd not go anything too fancy as as soon as its warmer you'll need to remove it.

You could you tarpaulin also I guess. Just would make it all a lot darker for them.

 

[Tim]

My chooks are very exposed in the field- but - I do provide protection from rain above and from the South Westerly winds. This is only provided by their house though. During bad / windy weather, they will go underneath and take shelter and during the good weather, they come out.

I think it's important to provide some shelter - no animal likes to be in the really bad weather, even sheep on a mountain side will go and shelter in a hollow during the worst weather. Providing your chooks complete protection above and on one side is probably not necessary unless they are fancy breeds (like Polands for example). I would give them an area that is protected and see how they behave. My guess is they will use it if the weather is bad enough (with the exception of young growers or ex-bats that haven't learnt about weather...)

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Anonymous]

My guess is they will use it if the weather is bad enough (with the exception of young growers or ex-bats that haven't learnt about weather...)

Hope this helps a little.

I would just like to point out,that ex-batts very quiclky learn about the weather.......My three pile into my lounge whenever the weather is inclemant,or they fancy a snooze on the sofa,or a sleep on the floor,a drink from the dog bowl,a cherry tom from the fridge etc........... .
Unfortunately,the RIR and pair of pekins have started copying the ex-batts.....and the Sablepoots..... .

 

[Tim]

They are quick to learn.. Ex-bats can stand out in the rain sometimes - they simply have never experienced rain

Your chooks are spoilt :lol: I'm surprised you don't give them duvets :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

They are quick to learn.. Ex-bats can stand out in the rain sometimes - they simply have never experienced rain

Your chooks are spoilt :lol: I'm surprised you don't give them duvets :lol:

LOL,you're quite right Tim,the first time they experienced a heavy downpour,they did run round in panic(the expresion headless chooks sprang to mind)whilst the pekins went into the house.They were really panicking and I went outside,it took them a few mins to realise I was their and stop panicking to come to me.I made the error of bringing them into my house to check they were ok.I then dried them before putting them back into their house.
With subsequent showers,they just run in here,and,now the others follow .
They are all a bit spoilt ,but,I've only got a few hens,and,I'm the lucky one to have them.I've looked at duvets for them,but,I think they prefer their shredded cardboard and each other .

When I catch them asleep on my bed,I'll know they want a duvet :lol: .

 

[Lucylou]

I've had the same problem with rain so this year I've covered part of the run with tarpaulin, & hooked it onto the wooden baton with those stretch ropes with hooks on the end (if you get me !) Its worked quite well.

The chooks can't quite understand that its dry underneath that section because they still all shelter somewhere else (I have the frame of an old wooden desk thing which formes a good shelter, & under the house) I did it mainly because the ground was becoming a bog, we've had so much rain & I now realise this part of the garden is quite clay & doesn't drain away very quickly.

Downside to this is that when its very windy (like yesterday) the wind under the tarpaulin is very noisy & makes the chooks really flustered They were rushing around in a real tizz poor things. It does make it darker too, but at this time of year the sun comes in at an angle so for me it doesn't make much difference.

 

[Lucylou]

Oh, just had another thought - when I started about 18 months ago (without the help of this fab forum & website ) from the limited info I could find (it seemed it was either too basic or aimed at semi-pro chicken keeping) I collated all the info as best I could & worked out what I thought was best.

Hmmmm... several very expensive mistakes later I gradually changed things, I'd redo the whole lot if I could now!! So what I'm getting at is, you might prefer not to spend a fortune until you really know what you want/need. Practical things might influence what you would like to do once you get started.

 

[Tim]

Yes, we've all been there Lucylou. Over the years, I've made loads of expensive mistakes.

One thing I would say is there is a lot of information on the web and lets face it, anyone can put information on the web. Some of it is completely contradictory - but in general, with people that keep chickens, they have spent years making mistakes and when they find something that they believe in, like to share it with others...