Hen House necessary in desert climates

[DirtyPig]

Does anyone think it is necessary to have a hen house in a desert (Arizona) climate? Is it okay to have a completely covered chicken run with nesting boxes?

 

[welasharon]

That would be preferable. A regular coop could cook them in the summer. I am in Florida and have open air pens. I put hardware cloth on all sides and the top and then covered the whole thing. I added an addition and made the back wall of it solid wood. I use plastic or tarps to deflect wind in the winter or when there are going to be blowing rains. Sand on the bottom is the best!

 

[DirtyPig]

Thanks. I guess it was common sense but I needed some reassurance. What's the sand for, or is that what your soil consists of?

 

[welasharon]

I put sand on the inside of the pens and the poop just vanishes! I put some hay in for the winter and went out today and raked it out. Poop everywhere! I won't be putting hay in again. Poop just sits there.
Here is one I built for my mom. I can't find the pics of mine right now.