help pros and cons of a covered chicken run and tips for the cold

[peeps224]

Im going to build a coop for my new chickens and just wanted to no if i should build a covered run and what advantages there are over a open run. i am going to get call ducks and probably will not clip there wings and i heard that thy can fly really well. and if a covered run helps prevent birds of pray geting them? and tips on chickens in the cold.

 

[sylviethecochin]

For tips on chickens in the cold,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/
Chickens are generally pretty cold hardy (Mine laugh at the negative tens) but we do try to stop drafts in winter. Unfortunately, it also snows a lot so we don't clean out the coop as much. Ergo, ammonia and liquid buildup, which is a bigger danger to your chickens than the cold is. Thus, we ventilate.

A covered run is better protection from predators than an uncovered one would be, and it'll help stop your calls from escaping, but it limits the size of your run a great deal. Also, expense. If you're not going to clip your ducks' wings or free-range them, a covered run is probably your only option.

You might try making a covered run and an uncovered one leading off of it. The uncovered run could be for days you're outside, or nearby. Less expense, more space. Depends on your lifestyle and other factors, though.