Hens and Rain

[carolb0101]

Hi All

We're almost ready to get our very first hens.

My query is: Should they be kept in the coop when it's raining - which it's doing an awful lot just lately!!

 

[VALBURNHAM]

I let mine make their own mind up. I leave the house open so they can go in if they want too. I would not shut them in during the day. Invariably mine are a soft lot and decide to go in out of the rain but venture out when it slows down or stops.

 

[Marigold]

If you can make a cover for at least part of the roof of their run, and fix a perch under the shelter, the hens will probably appreciate it, especially if it gives shelter from the winter wind as well. You can then also put the feeder under the dry area. To prevent wind and rain blowing in from the side, you can fix a clear plastic tarpaulin to the mesh, which lets light through but will help to keep the whole covered area dry in a small run. Hens hate wind, but don't usually seem to mind getting wet and it doesn't do them any harm if they have the choice of shelter if they want to use it. Don't ever shut them in the coop just because it rains, they are hardy birds and used to living out of doors in their well-insulated feather coats. Mine only choose to go in the coop to lay their eggs or to roost at night.

 

[carolb0101]

OK, That's a great help, thanks.

Will look for some clear plastic tarpaulin, that sounds a good idea.

 

[Marigold]

Try clear Monotex tarps from Tarpaulins Direct see http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/monotex-tarpaulin I've had mine up round the end of my run for nearly 3 years now and they're still as effective and intact as ever. Very strong and easy to cut to size if required. I know some people use removable plastic panels that can be taken down in summer but I find the tarps give filtered shade as well as wind shelter. And there wouldn't have been any point in taking them down this 'summer' anyway!

 

[bantiekeeper]

My coop is inside a walk in covered run. The roof is made up of a wooden frame with 2" chicken wire over it then a layer of green plastic mesh for
shade and finally clear corrugated PVC sheets.
The lower half of the run is made of wood with 1" chicken wire above. I have available a clear PVC panel for each side which can be clipped on as required according to the way the wind, rain or snow is blowing!
I have this set up because my hens are on the allotment and I would not want to leave them ouside the run unattended.The girls get to free range every afternoon.

 

[carolb0101]

We thought of PVC Sheeting, but it's so windy here they'd be ripped off. We live in Tonragee, which in Irish means 'wind at your backside', and at times it certainly is. We've had a new shed built and were advised to attach posts to it and into the ground because of the winds!

Marigold - Have found an online company over here that sells Monotex tarps - thanks for the info.

 

[chrismahon]

Ours would NEVER go into the coop in daylight except to lay Carolb. They would rather get soaking wet outside, as we found out. So the fixed runs have shelters and the mobile coops are tall enough for them to stand under. Shelters are useful to hang the feed up at night, away from the rats.

 

[karminski]

just want to add make sure you give them shelter thats tall enough for you to stand in :lol: :lol: you'll need it ,i know longer have that as the 8'4 house which was cut down to make a solid4'4 house one side and a all year round food shelter the other side is now just one 4'4 house 05 05 i have nowhere to shelter so i just have to get wet :lol:

 

[Stanley]

ours dont really like rain, but theyd prefer to shelter outside from most of it than be inside, and their coops are always open, they dont like standing in puddles although when we had some seriously bad weather they had to wade through it!

 

[BabyBantam]

Soft feathered birds are, in my experience, best kept dry. My girls would quite happily stand in the rain for hours, but means they then loose the 'duvet' insulation & come out of the ark in the morning sneezing. Always give your girls shelter, so they can make the choice.
I use sheets of clear corragated plastic from B&Q, not the cheapest, but don't flap in the wind, the bumps allow ventilation to flow round it and it's easy to move & store in the shed when not needed. They also clean up really easily with washing up liquid and a dishcloth, so last for years.

 

[Marigold]

My coop is inside a walk in covered run. The roof is made up of a wooden frame with 2" chicken wire over it then a layer of green plastic mesh for
shade and finally clear corrugated PVC sheets.
The lower half of the run is made of wood with 1" chicken wire above. I have available a clear PVC panel for each side which can be clipped on as required according to the way the wind, rain or snow is blowing!
I have this set up because my hens are on the allotment and I would not want to leave them ouside the run unattended.The girls get to free range every afternoon.

Ban timekeeper. I remember you posted some brilliant pictures of your run, showing the shelter features you mention here, but it was some time ago and I can't find it. Could you post them again, or else give us the link if you know what the thread was called, please?