Do chickens make use of covered areas?

[PotassiumJunkie]

Mine currently have a coop with small, covered run attached. We’re extending to make a larger fenced area...

My question is whether to scrap the run so they have more room (so it’ll just be the coop in the fenced area) or keep it for them to stand out of the rain?

When they’re free ranging and it’s very rainy or windy they never seem to think to go into the covered area, preferring to stay out in the elements! Which is why I’m asking what other people’s experiences are?

 

[imnukensc]

Unless it's raining really hard, my chickens stay out in it. A light to moderate rain doesn't seem to faze them.

 

[Ribh]

I have a very different climate but my chickens use underneath our verandah to get out of the heat or if we have a real torrential downpour.

 

[jthornton]

Mine do the same if it's raining or windy and cold they prefer to go inside the covered run or under the coop both of which have wind blocks during the winter. And sometimes they just stand under the deck having a safety meeting...

JT

 

[MissChick@dee]

Covered as in wire is always good. I have what is called a All season roof... part is a tin roof and the other is wired. The roof keeps the coop dry and the run dry. Mine too sometimes get stuck on stupid and won’t come in out of the rain. I’ll herd them in. I just believe dry chickens are healthier chickens.

 

[WindingRoad]

Reminds me of a dog I had once. Neighbors called animal control because I "left" the dog out in the rain. Fenced area and perfectly good dog house. But he would sit outside and shiver and wouldn't go in. Hot day he's go in. And when I brought him in the house the first place he went was the bath tub and whined for me to turn on the water. Funny dog. The day animal control came it was raining, my dog was outside, drove me crazy pacing to go out. Animal control didn't stay long. He was a "water" dog after all.

 

[townchicks]

If your fenced area is not fully enclosed, It would be a good idea to keep the attached run area. There may come a day when you need to lock them up for safety.

 

[llombardo]

I put an umbrella out there and just recently propped the sand box lid so they could dust bathe if it was raining. They do use the areas but somehow still end up wet.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Tarps worth their weight in gold.

 

[aart]

My question is whether to scrap the run so they have more room (so it’ll just be the coop in the fenced area) or keep it for them to stand out of the rain?

This doesn't really make sense.
But I may be having verbiage confusion.
A 'coop' is totally weather and predator safe.
A 'run' is usually at least predator safe.
A 'fenced area' could be all kinds of different things.

You want to scrap the run so they'll have 'more room'....
...but you could just open the run door to let them range, correct?

A run is for security from predators, it should have a roof whether it's mesh or solid.
If you live in a place where there is lots of rain or snow a solid roof is a good thing to have, especially if your coop is too small to afford them a comfortable place to spend the whole day without crowding during nasty weather.