Wet Run and Health Issues?

[Jaxdrisc]

Happy March! And with it, comes a LOT of melting! Boston had an insane snowfall this year, and a normally dry area is now flooded....which is now the run. Since I am 1500 miles away caring for my mom, my family shoveled 4 feet of snowbank away from one run wall. One more needs to be cleared tomorrow. The run is mostly flooded with about an inch of water, this occurring in the last 2 days. My concern is my 5 hens. I can't imagine that walking in and out of that all day is healthy for the birds. I found a lot of info. about adapting the run conditions, but not much on the effect on the chickens. I would love input! I have instructed them to keep them in the coop until one of them comes home in the afternoon, then let them out til roosting time. I have a big window that can be opened to give them air and a view of outside. I need suggestions on what else to do, and if standing in water is, indeed, a hazard. Thanks for your help!

 

[1muttsfan]

Many of us have water in the run this time of year. As long as your birds can move to a dry area if they want to, it should not pose a problem.

 

[BonRae67]

Many of us have water in the run this time of year.  As long as your birds can move to a dry area if they want to, it should not pose a problem.

Agreed.

 

[Jaxdrisc]

OH phew! Thanks so much! There is SO much water! And I planned the coop's location with wetness in mind. Obviously, this is my first spring, and boy, am I surprised! They do, indeed, have unlimited access to their coop which is 3.5 ft above ground and very dry. Also, I have roost bars in the run, plus a ladder, logs and stumps. I just wanted to make sure I didn't end up with soggy feet that became infected. I'll have my daughter keep an eye on things...she loves all of this, God bless her! I have a lot of work to do this year to adjust for all of this, but that's ok. Love, love, love having my hens!

 

[Cmyers]

I have ten chickens now. They have a coop and a run. When it rains their run turns into a wet, smelly, muddy mess!! I'm starting to become frustrated with it. I do think I'm going to have to relocate the coop and run as it sits in a low part of the yard. When we get heavy rain the chickens are walking in water! I have put pallets in their run so they don't have to walk in the muddy mess. I have been spreading lime as well. I need to figure out something until I can move the run and coop (which would probably be in the spring time).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!