Part 0800.0005

[mollyripkim]

Hi Everyone

I have had my extended cube covered all winter with a green heavy duty omlet cover and two of the clear plastic covers which has kept the wood chip nice and dry.

However I am wondering now its sunny if the clear covers will make it like a greenhouse so thought I would take them off and just leave a summer green shade on the first part of the run to give them some shade.

 

So if I do that it means that when it rains the wood chip is going to get wet - is this ok? Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[The Dogmother]

I keep a clear rain cover on mine all year round, but then it's in a sheltered area with dappled sunlight only.

 

You're the best judge on your own situation but bear in mind that wet litter in the run is one of the main causes of disease and foot problems with chickens.

[mollyripkim]

Thanks Dogmother, that clarifies it more especially as they are silkies and need to be dry. Trouble is I can't move it and it does get a lot of sun so I might experiment and take the small covers from under the cube off to give a bit of airflow.

[Plum]

why not uncover the sides of the run and leave the top covered and add the omlet shade to give some shade. When I had the cube run I made a sloping frame for the covers so any hot air rose up and wafted off. Seemed to work.

[The Dogmother]

Good idea Plum.

[mollyripkim]

Yes that sounds like a really good idea, I wanted to get the balance of them not getting too hot and protecting from rain. Admittedly they FR most days but there are bound to be days when they have to be in. I changed the heavy duty winter cover today for the summer one and left the two clear ones on but will have a play around tomorrow.