Stedic Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 The girls have now been with me for 3 weeks and are settling in nicely. Actually, they've always been settled, but now I'm getting used to them a little! We've had pretty good weather so far but a few downpours more recently and I'm just wondering if I need to help them out at all? They're in a permanent spot on soil, I had used straw but have now switched to a mix of bark and woodchips (I didn't have enough woodchip to get it all done this time). The flooring seems to be coping ok, I'll give it a rake tomorrow to let it dry underneath. Do the girls need extra shelter? They've got a standard sun shade so a good area of the run is dry ish, but they do seem to like sitting in the rain! Is it a problem or will they just sort themselves out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 My girls have a run which is covered on all sides so stays totally dry in the rain. They choose to wander around in the wet instead. Chickens are drip-dry so no need to worry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 As long as you can provide space where the hens can stay dry if they want to you should be okay. I have tarpaulin over my run which keeps the ground dry too. Having said that they spend a lot of time out in the rain. Hens are not bright but you've got to love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 The other reason you may want to consider covering your run, is to reduce potential smells. Keeping it dry just seems to help a little - although agree that the chooks seem to prefer the rain! Daft things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 My girls are on woodchip which is on earth. I've got my run covered with a clear shower curtain, to keep the rain off and a summer shade and an Omlet 'fun' shade for extra shade from the sun - they also help to hold the shower curtain in place. You might find if there's a lot of rain the earth will start getting churned up and the woodchip will become soggy and muddy, also it does seem to smell a bit if it gets too wet. I think it lasts longer if you can keep it dry, and the girls will have a larger area to stay dry in (if they want to ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
