Should run be covered?

[Cryss]

I'm so thankful for all the info I have been able to find on this site. I feel like I'm bugging everyone with a questions, but with my 4 first time ever chickens arriving im 4 days I'm worrying now about details. Like I said in my introduction I don't know what I don't know. My question now is about my run. My coop is an Innovation Pet's Deluxe Farm House from Tractor Supply. I have covered the 3 screened walls around the bottom underneath the hen house to have a dry area for feeding. I feel like this isn't much protection from rain, snow, and winter winds. I've read some people cover the north and west sides of the run fence to block wind. Also I see a lot of roofs over runs. My run is covered in protective wire everywhere including the top. The only roof is over the coop which is 3ftx7ft. The run is 10x10x6.
Sorry, I'm being rather long winded.
The point is, with winter upon us here in NJ it can get cold, windy, and lots of snow. Should I be covering the run? Hubby thinks I'm going overboard already!

 

[Dawnclucks22]

The point is, with winter upon us here in NJ it can get cold, windy, and lots of snow. Should I be covering the run? Hubby thinks I'm going overboard already!

It doesn't snow where I live, but they should be fine with a coop that size unless the snow blocks the exit.
And you're not annoying us with your questions, I love helping people and that's what BYC is all about!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You don't have to, but I would.

You're in the cold north where you get lots of snow and a long winter. Chickens really don't like snow, they like to scratch in dirt. They don't mind the cold, but they usually freak on snow (at least mine do...and a lot of other peoples too as I've read here on BYC).

If you plan to keep them in the coop and run completely, with no yard free range, I would cover the run too.

That way they have a nice run to scratch in during really bad weather. You can give them interesting treats and things to jump up on. And they will have a dry place to dust bathe, which is very important.

Also, covering the run helps to keep it from getting really gross too....all those chicken feet constantly tramping, and pooing, mixing with mud (in Oregon rain or NJ thaw), gets pretty yucky.

So unless you plan to do a lot of shoveling and replacing run materials, I'd cover it. With just 4 chickens a good layer of pine shavings should last quite awhile.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[Cryss]

You don't have to, but I would.

You're in the cold north where you get lots of snow and a long winter. Chickens really don't like snow, they like to scratch in dirt. They don't mind the cold, but they usually freak on snow (at least mine do...and a lot of other peoples too as I've read here on BYC).

If you plan to keep them in the coop and run completely, with no yard free range, I would cover the run too.

That way they have a nice run to scratch in during really bad weather. You can give them interesting treats and things to jump up on. And they will have a dry place to dust bathe, which is very important.

Also, covering the run helps to keep it from getting really gross too....all those chicken feet constantly tramping, and pooing, mixing with mud (in Oregon rain or NJ thaw), gets pretty yucky.

So unless you plan to do a lot of shoveling and replacing run materials, I'd cover it. With just 4 chickens a good layer of pine shavings

Thank you. I feel like I want to cover it but I just now was thinking that maybe it would block too much sun. I do plan the run ground to be covered with wood chips which I have waiting. Maybe I should just cover the top and the north side with clear plastic. I cant cover the west side as that is the front of the run with the door.
Decisions decisions.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Covering the top will let in sun still. And you don't want the heat during summer.

This is what my broody hutch/grow out looks like (there is an old car tarp on top of this, which of course you can't see). I really like the covered run. It helps keep down the mud and muck.

 

[Cryss]

Covering the top will let in sun still. And you don't want the heat during summer.

This is what my broody hutch/grow out looks like (there is an old car tarp on top of this, which of course you can't see). I really like the covered run. It helps keep down the mud and muck.

View attachment 1188794

Thanks. I think I'm gonna have to cover it, at least for winter. Perhaps next year I could get a roof on it.

 

[aart]

Is this the coop you have?
Roof is already covered but you might want to put some clear plastic up to block wind,
leave top 4-6" open for ventilation.

Might need some other mods too, here's my favorite:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

 

[Cryss]

Yes this is the coop. I've put a bit of wind and rain barrier around the underside of the henhouse section to have a dry area for feeding. I have put this entire coop inside a chain link dog run which I have done my best to predator proof with wire and hardware cloth. This area will be their run. My concern is that the run will be too wet without some type of covering. I am thinking of wrapping the dog run in 6 mil plastic sheeting. If I do I'm either going to put one long sheet of 10x25 up the north side, across the top, and down the south side held with large rocks...or I'm going to do that AND do exactly the same going up the east side, across top, down west side, and cut out the door area which is on the west side. Wondered if that was enough ventilation, or am I in overkill mode? Should I only do the first sheet? I do NOT want wet chickens. I don't even own a hair dryer! I know the coop has a bit of roofing but considering the coop is only 3ft wide a simple gust of wind can send a barrel full of rain into the coop.

 

[Cryss]

Is this the coop you have?
Roof is already covered but you might want to put some clear plastic up to block wind,
leave top 4-6" open for ventilation.

Might need some other mods too, here's my favorite:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

My previous post was meant for you. And , yes, I've seen that modification, quite like it! I'm probably going to make some mods in spring/summer. For now I just need to get what I have now ready and secure.
>deep breath in...blow out....deep breath in.....blow out.....deep brea.....<

 

[aart]

Block the kennel run on 2 or 3 sides, where the most wind will come from, leave the 4th side open.
If you put plastic over the top, make sure that it is strongly supported and slanted to shed rain and is easily cleared of snow.