Soft shelled egg help!

[Beaudyne 7]

I already have a 6x4 shed for my 4 hens that they have access too all day through their little door. But do I need to build them a rain shelter in the garden too? When the weather is bad (seems to be all the time atm) they run back in the coop but their food and water is outside. So was wondering shall I build one and put their food/water under it too? Thanks 😊 

[Beantree 117]

Wet feed is a disaster! It goes mouldy very quickly and gives chickens sour crop. Any wet feed should be immediately discarded, so if you have feeders outside they must be covered and sheltered from driving rain. Best put them away at night to discourage rats. We hang ours on a hook under the roof of the shelters out of reach.

[Daphne 141]

Lovely photos!  The brickwork looks especially interesting.

Yes, the food must be kept dry, and it is good practice to give the birds somewhere dry to shelter as well.  Think about the prevailing wind when you site it.

 

[Luvachicken 383]

Perhaps you could make them something like one of these ?

https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Feeder_Shelter_Dustbath.html

[Beaudyne 7]

@Luvachicken yeah was looking at that. But would like to build something a little bigger so chickens can shelter under it too. Maybe something more like this? Hope it’s not too difficult....will probably just drag my hubby into it, who took so much convincing to getting chicken but now LOVES them 😂 

[Luvachicken 383]

That looks good.

I'm sure you could get your hubby to make one.

[Cat tails 761]

Looks a bit like a kids playhouse. If only I had the space! 

[mullethunter 506]

Lovely photo’s. As long as the food stays dry the hens will cope, but they are always happier if they have somewhere dry so if you could build a shelter it certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing.