Does a run need to be covered?

[devora]

Our run is covered w/ wire for pest protection. Some of the pix on the site show roofs on runs. Do I need to put a roof on?

 

[barg]

Here in the PacificNW if you dont have a roof, you have mud.
So it depends on your local weather.
They also need a spot to get out of the sun, so it depends on how your whole coop and run are set up.

 

[cookinmom]

Down here some kind of cover for shade is a plus, not to mention keeps hawks from snatching the chickens. Ours is covered with chicken wire over most of it, and the rest of it has a tin roof where we extended the roof out from the house, kind of like a porch. Gives 'em somewhere to get out of the rain/sun without having to go in the house.

 

[devora]

I thought my location had been printed next to my name but it wasn't so I just fixed it.

I'm in N. Califronia and it does rain, but not quite like WA. Is mud a problem? Will it harm them come winter? (Unfortunately we won't see a drop of rain until Oct. or Nov.)

The run is wire on the sides as well so I think we'd have to make the whole thing into a house in order to keep the water out!

They have shade so that's not an issue. They'll need it if it's like last year: 112 degrees!!