How do I keep the run dry

[Marshmallow1234]

Good idea to increase the ventilation holes. Just remember to cover them over with wire so that no nasty predator can reach in and harm your chickens while they sleep.
You do not need food in the coop overnight. They are sleeping and won't eat or drink while they are asleep.
And yes, first thing in the morning you should let them out of the coop so they can access their food and water in the run. Right now it is getting light just after 7am and that is when I go out and release my chickens so they can eat and drink in the run. Usually my chickens get their breakfast before I do!
Then once it gets dark and they go into the coop and are roosted on their roosting bar (the 2x4 wood that was a few posts earlier) then I go out and close up the coop so they are safe for the night.
I hope that helps explain it.

Yes thanks. You see in the picture before the holes do I need to cover that? Because it’s very small hole

 

[Marshmallow1234]

Yes thanks. You see in the picture before the holes do I need to cover that? Because it’s very small hole

Just to double check they are okay in the run while I’m gone right

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes thanks. You see in the picture before the holes do I need to cover that? Because it’s very small hole

I am sorry but I cannot see any holes in the picture you sent of the coop. Maybe you could mark them on the photo and re-post. Generally you want to have any hole larger than 1/2" covered because there are some predators that can fit into some small holes. But it looks like you are in a city so you may not have so many of that kind of predator - but even so I would not leave a hole more than 3/4 an inch without a wire barrier. Also, for proper ventilation you need very big holes - not even holes but big 'gaps' at the top of your walls running almost the full length of the wall - and those definitely need to be secured with wire/hardware cloth.

Just to double check they are okay in the run while I’m gone right

It is hard to be 100% sure. It is better that they are in the run than in the tiny coop. And the run itself is also tiny. You should look at it very carefully and see if some other animal could get in and attack them. Put your self in the mind of a hungry predator and see how you would break in! When you can't figure out how to break in you are probably going to be OK.

Finally, I really, really think you need to look at ways to increase the size of the run. It is way too small for the number of chickens. You don't need to do that immediately (unlike the ventilation and the run security - both of which are urgent improvements), but for your hens to be happy and healthy they need more space even when you can't watch over them free-ranging.
Hope that is helpful.

 

[AntiqueB]

The downspout needs to go out of the run, but their drinking water can stay. If water is dripping from the ceiling, it is probably because it needs more ventilation. If it's dripping because of a hole, you have to fix the hole!

Mice and rats can get in through very small holes. Even if they don't attack your chickens, they can carry disease and sickness into the coop and run. And raccoons can put their paws through small holes and grab your chickens. That's why holes are covered with hardware cloth.

 

[Marshmallow1234]

I am sorry but I cannot see any holes in the picture you sent of the coop. Maybe you could mark them on the photo and re-post. Generally you want to have any hole larger than 1/2" covered because there are some predators that can fit into some small holes. But it looks like you are in a city so you may not have so many of that kind of predator - but even so I would not leave a hole more than 3/4 an inch without a wire barrier. Also, for proper ventilation you need very big holes - not even holes but big 'gaps' at the top of your walls running almost the full length of the wall - and those definitely need to be secured with wire/hardware cloth.


It is hard to be 100% sure. It is better that they are in the run than in the tiny coop. And the run itself is also tiny. You should look at it very carefully and see if some other animal could get in and attack them. Put your self in the mind of a hungry predator and see how you would break in! When you can't figure out how to break in you are probably going to be OK.

Finally, I really, really think you need to look at ways to increase the size of the run. It is way too small for the number of chickens. You don't need to do that immediately (unlike the ventilation and the run security - both of which are urgent improvements), but for your hens to be happy and healthy they need more space even when you can't watch over them free-ranging.
Hope that is helpful.

Yeah thanks. I’m still thinking how to make the run bigger because it’s on the side and there are stone path in front of I make it Bigger then it blocks the door

 

[Marshmallow1234]

Yeah thanks. I’m still thinking how to make the run bigger because it’s on the side and there are stone path in front of I make it Bigger then it blocks the door

Would the holes work I’ll add more on the other side

 

[RoyalChick]

Would the holes work I’ll add more on the other side

Not really big enough. If you cut a couple of squares the size of the white marked area you might be getting closer.
The guideline is something like 1 square foot per chicken - that is a square 1'x1'. So it is way more than you are looking at with those little holes.
Some people have way more than that and some people get away with much less. Climate plays a part.
I know you have to work around what you have and don't have much flexibility so I am not saying you can get to 'perfect' but I share these numbers to give you a rough sense of how much you really need to look for ways to increase ventilation. Think of it more like 'windows' than 'breathing holes' - and always remember to secure them with wire/hardware cloth against predators!

 

[Marshmallow1234]

Not really big enough. If you cut a couple of squares the size of the white marked area you might be getting closer.
The guideline is something like 1 square foot per chicken - that is a square 1'x1'. So it is way more than you are looking at with those little holes.
Some people have way more than that and some people get away with much less. Climate plays a part.
I know you have to work around what you have and don't have much flexibility so I am not saying you can get to 'perfect' but I share these numbers to give you a rough sense of how much you really need to look for ways to increase ventilation. Think of it more like 'windows' than 'breathing holes' - and always remember to secure them with wire/hardware cloth against predators!

Ohh ok I will but what if they stand in front of the window? And should I put the roosting bar in the middle with no window

 

[RoyalChick]

Ohh ok I will but what if they stand in front of the window? And should I put the roosting bar in the middle with no window

Your coop space is so small I think the roosting bar has to go in the middle so they don't smash their faces or tails on the walls.
The ventilation should be above their heads so they don't have a draft on their faces or bodies when they sleep. From the looks of it you don't have much space to play with so your ventilation 'windows' may have to be long strips cut out at the top of the walls.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Cover the holes you made with hardware cloth, keep the coop door open to the run as long as you make sure it's safe, clean up the dampness in the run, add your roost bar in your coop, and then build a new coop in the spring out of pallets or something. They will be ok until you can get a better setup for them. Good luck with your chickens.