debbie26pet Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 i know silly question alert, this is our first day of rain, and its raining on and of, ive let the chucks into there run, but it aint covered as yet im hoping, will be after today, been on at hubby to do it going to get the stuff my self today. does it bother them? are they ok being let out, they have gone bk into there coop at min so will they know when to etc, do they like rain to play out in it etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I've got a shower curtain over half of the run to give them somewhere to shelter but they normally just stand around in the rain getting soaked. It doesn't seem to bother them - somewhere on here are some fantastic pictures of bedraggled hens so I know it's not just mine. mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Some chooks dont mind getting soaking wet and others hate it - mine refuse to come out from their nice covered run when its raining. A cover will be a good idea anyway - gives them a bit of shelter and will stop the run getting soggy so it will be easier to clean for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Mine play out quite happily in the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Another good reason to get a run cover (especially if you live in somewhere like East Anglia that has lots of poultry farms) is that, should there (God forbid) be a bird flu alert in your area, an eglu run with a winter cover (or any cover/roof that prevents wild bird poo from falling into the run) qualifies as "indoor housing" under DEFRA regulations, thus allowing you to keep your girls safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 hi thanks fo rhte reply, im thinking of getting them that plastic sheetto put on, i liek the idea of a shower curtain im not sure how i would fasten it onto the run make it sure enough, as its widy here today they chcikens would think they in hot air balloon, as i writing this, they are out and have gone under the kids trampoline were they get shelter and the best of worms etc im hoping it will then protect there food as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I think most people who use shower curtains hold them down with those stretchy ropes with hooks on the end, like you use on car roof-racks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 That is what I do...and they work fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I was worried about this last summer - we got our hens in June and there was very heavy rain leading to serious flooding in July. Our hens were soaked - but came out of the eglu dry and fluffy in the morning. It bothered me more than it did them! Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Bit late replying to this, but couldn't help noticing you saying it was windy where you are . I've the ideal rain cover for windy gardens (arrived at after losing various shower curtains to gales ). Two lengths of corrugated plastic from B&Q (£6 each) held on with bungee ropes. It's withstood some really ferocious winds recently . (One is raging as we speak.) (Sorry to everyone else who must be so sick of me trotting out my corrugated plastic picture .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 actually I'm rather glad to see it again, as it reminds me I'm thinking of attempting this! At the moment I use an Ikea clear shower curtain, and I hold mine on with metal bulldog clips. They are a bit rusty after a winter outside, but it has stayed in place. My chickens don't seem to notice the rain though - doesn't stop them at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 (Sorry to everyone else who must be so sick of me trotting out my corrugated plastic picture .) Not at all- a few weeks back we were all standing in Homebase looking at corrugated stuff and I was saying "there's an omleteer in Edinburgh who's got a really good roof on their run" so your roof is infiltrating the national consciousness (we plumped for the shower curtain for now though !) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 You know we love your corrugated plastic picture, ANH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 My lot love going out in the rain, but hide under the patio table or back in their run if it absolutely pours down. The run has a shower curtain over it. However, on days when it rains all day long, I tend to keep them in their run as they absolutely rip the grass to shreds when it's muddy. My garden is on clay and gets waterlogged and the girls end up making a swimming pool in the grass (or what's left of it) so they are now confined to barracks on really wet days...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 well i went out and bought all roofing for there run so they are nicely covered and today they are in the run as garden is a bit like, as a saying here good for ducks, roll on the sun please even the nice days we have ahd i like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slip and pitch Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I'm interested to read about what you all do when the weather is really bad. My garden is on clay based ground too and we often see starlings and blackbirds bathing between the edge of the grass and the flowerbed,so I think I'll keep the girls in on those days like you do. By the way,lovin' the corrugated plastic cover idea ANH,thats definately the way forward! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 You won't regret it. Slip . You can't see it from the picture, but the length is 2 1/2 metres which is a bit short for a run plus extension. I had to use a bit of untorn shower curtain to cover the gap. There is a longer version of the corrugated plastic but unless you have a huge car and know that you can cut it, it's no good . Of course, you could always use the Omlet summer cover! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 we have a 12x8 run and have covered it in corragated plastic sheets. the only parts not covered are the door and the opposite panel of the same size. its very snug in there. its all held on with wooden washers ( blockes of wood over the top of the sheet so that the wind does not pull the screw right through the plastic). all will be coming off apart from the roof that will protect them from rain inthe summer and wild bird poo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Bit late replying to this, but couldn't help noticing you saying it was windy where you are . I've the ideal rain cover for windy gardens (arrived at after losing various shower curtains to gales ). Two lengths of corrugated plastic from B&Q (£6 each) held on with bungee ropes. It's withstood some really ferocious winds recently . (One is raging as we speak.) (Sorry to everyone else who must be so sick of me trotting out my corrugated plastic picture .) I actually bought one of these sheets in Homebase to-day 6' long and only put on one sheet - should really have bought 2 but was worried re taking it home in my little Yaris - but I managed fine as its so pliable stuff. Will buy another one next time out shopping - tip for the bungee - buy it by the metre in B & Q much cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 These sheets are fantastic i got mine from Wickes. they make a very cosy interior Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...