Suzy Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Hi, I need some help.... My girls have (inadvertently) got a dry run with a wet play area. Basically, how the roof is, there's one bit in the far corner (about 40% of the total run space) which gets absolutely soaked if it rains and the other end, where the eglu, their food, dust bath etc is is dry. The girls tend to stand most of the day in the wet bit which is nearest the window where they can keep an eye on the french windows and whether the mealworm tub is likely to come out. I am concerned that they seem to spend so much time in wet mud. I considered putting hemcore down but it will just get wet and soggy. I considered putting up tarpaulin and even bought some for OH to say I shouldn't becuse it's good for the bush in the run, they enjoy scratching around and if I put the tarp up it will act as a sail if it gets windy and could cause damage to the run. Everything he says makes sense but when I get home to soggy hens who insist on standing in the wet bit we end up having the same discussion. Is it a problem if they keep getting wet? Is it a problem for their feet to be covered in wet mud? They are elderly ish (exbatts released 14 months ago) but (touch wood) seem healthy. Would be grateful for some 'what I would do' opinions.... Thanks Suzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I have tarpaulins (clear) on the most exposed sides of my big run I have staple gunned the tarp on to about two thirds of the way down and have left the bottom third loose so air can circulate and dissipate (sp?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 My girls are in an eglu and run under my pergola. I have put corrugated plastic on top of the pergola to keep the worst off when it is coming down stair rods, but it is so high up that drizzle comes in from the side anyway, so the hemcore/easibed I put down still gets soggy. I keep an eye on their feet, but they don't seem to have any ill effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Despite having a beautiful dry Cube run, covered with a lovely clear tarpaulin, and with nice dry Hemcore mine insist on being let out to FR. I have never seen three muddier or more bedraggled chickens, but they don't seem to care. They just behave as they do on non-rainy days, scratching at the mud, bathing in the mud, and chasing us around the garden whenever they think treats are on offer. They can always come back to the run for shelter but never do, although they do pop back for food or grit. When it is raining they tend to shelter under the trailer or under the trees at the bottom of the garden. However when it is raining, I do insist on them going back into the run earlier than usual so their feathers can dry a bit and their feet clean off a bit before going to bed in the Cube. They show no signs of distress whatsoever, in contrast to their behaviour on the days when for whatever reason they have to stay in the run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
