Should I put a roof on the top of the Chicken Run?

[jeapa]

My coop is inside my covered run which is fully predator proof. This allows me to leave the chicken door open 24/7. My chickens can come in and out of the coop as they choose and it stays dry. I love this option.

 

[pvchicken1]

I voted yes based on the muddy fact.

Would you vote no if there was no mud?

 

[Mamatomany123]

Would you vote no if there was no mud?

If there wasnt a mud issue then I would have voted it's not necessary. My girls will spend time in the rain. They walk around no problem. But we have amazing drainage. The water never pools and once the rain stops the run dried fairly quickly. The only reason I have some shade now is because we do get very hot in the summers and we get snow in the winter so I want to give them a dry place if they choose.

 

[Blue Raptor]

Wondering if I should put a roof on top of my chicken run that I am building. After it rains it is wet and muddy for like a week after the rain. I want to have it dry so it doesn't stink as much. I will be using hay for bedding in the run. After you vote explain your answer below! All help is helpfull.

Hawks, raccoons, and even foxes if its short enough can get in.

 

[neo71665]

Mine it totally covered and I have no regrets. I also have an open coop so they come and go as they please.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Would you vote no if there was no mud?

Depends on where you leave and the kind of predators you have, every state or country have different predators.
My run is covered but I also let the flock free range during the day when I am not home.