As well as having a dry, draft free house to sleep in, chickens require a certain amount of shelter from the elements. Bushes, a hedge or wall can be used if birds free range to get out of the sun, wind or rain but if this sort of cover is not available, you should consider erecting some sort of shelter that allows them to get out of the elements. Raising a chicken house onto legs about 18 inches off the floor and covering one side in the direction of the prevailing wind is a good idea as this provides them with shelter for the daytime. If you have a covered run, you can put corrugated plastic sheets on the roof which take the strength out of the sun and shelter chickens from the rain.
Remember to put water containers in shaded positions during the hottest summer months so that water doesn’t over heat. Chickens cool down by drinking water as well as panting.
Hi,
Very useful website!!
I’m just about to get a couple of chickens, we have a bit of our garden that we are going to fence off for the chickens (about 25 sq meters) would this be enough space to stop them turning it to mud very quickly? Its currently grass/weeds.
Thanks for any advice
Stewart
Possibly, the winter will be the big test. Different types of grass wear differently. If it is a hard wearing type of grass, you should find it easier.
Hi
I have just started keeping chickens and have 3 bantams. They are in a coop with a large run attached to it. Do I need to close the coop door at night ? The run is very secure so nothing can get in. The design of the coop and run makes it difficult to get to the door although we could change it if needed.
Many thanks
If the run is secure then no, but as an added precaution against predators, if you can close it easily then I would.
I’m planning on getting around three chickens for eggs I just need to know what hight to build the coop and do I have to move it if i plan on letting them free roam when I’m home and also I’m planning on attatching a run for when i’m at work the total size is 24sq feet but no web site states a recomended hight.
many thanks
shane
The coop height is not critical, it’s more about ease for you getting in to clean and collect eggs. You don’t have to move it.
The run height is covered on my page on poultry fencing. There are a number of options to keep foxes out.