What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[joybelle]

My girls live in a cube positioned on concrete slabs with the standard run

and a 1mtr extension. Despite it being 80% covered the hemcore gets very

wet and smelly quickly. I have to completely change the hemcore about every

10 days because of all the rain we have had.

My OH is making a walk in run in the spring and it will be much larger than the set

up I have now,but as it will only have the roof to protect it from the elements will

I have the same problems as now but on a larger scale!

Having looked at other forum members walk in runs I couldnt see they were covered

other than having a roof, so I guess they have the same problems when its windy

and raining? Or does having a roof make all the difference

 

 

Joy

[Plum]

Hi Joy,

I would think that you would need to cover the side where rain comes in to prevent the hemcore getting wet but if you are on slabs again and fill the gaps to prevent 'rising damp', that would make a difference.

Those that have walk in run swear by hemcore or auboise so it must work, have a look at some of the pics in the stickies at the top of this section. They'll be along soon to tell you.

[Plum]

Just had a look and its at the top of the chicken section. Most seem to have one side and rest open but that was when new and they may have adapted them since then. There are some great runs there.

[moomin]

Hi Joy

 

Having a roof makes not much difference at all as the rain blows in from the sides. It will will keep out foxes though

 

I have tarpaulins hanging over the sides of my run. I have screwed hooks along the wooden frame at the top and hang the tarps (mostly clear ones to let in the light), by slotting the hooks through the eyelets. The sides are secured using bungee hooks. Best not to cover all four sides though as they need ventilation. I have 2 and a half sides covered when it's blowy and raining hard. See where the wind blows the rain in and then hang the tarpaulins on that