Solving Wet Chicken Coop Problems
A wet chicken coop is the worst. Not only is it disgusting for humans, it's bad for the birds. Thoughtful chicken coop design for you climate is an important step in ensuring your birds stay clean and healthy, but if you are already experiencing problems and need guidance until you have time to make repairs, here are some thoughts.
Wet Areas within the Coop
If your coop is wet on the inside, remove the birds from the area to avoid possible respiratory complications, wear gloves and a mask and clean out the soiled litter. Let everything dry out as best as possible. Hopefully things will dry by evening and then you can add new bedding. If you have leaks from a roof or compromised seal, try to address the issue at the same time to avoid having to clean out the bedding again in short order.
In wet climate areas, we like to build coops with ample indoor space, a well sloped metal roof (wind can shove rain and water back under shingles in low sloped roofs), and well secured and sealed doors and windows. The floor of the "cabin" area is water proofed for easy cleaning and durability.
With this particular coop, part of the run is under the cabin, allowing protection from both the sun and rain, and the other part of the run is the full height of the cabin, but covered by a roof with exposure to the south. This allows the birds to still receive sufficient light, have good height to move around, but minimizes the exposure of the run to rain and snow.
This set-up also works well in that it allows the birds to take dust baths almost year round, while providing ample protection against predators and pests.
With this particular coop, part of the run is under the cabin, allowing protection from both the sun and rain, and the other part of the run is the full height of the cabin, but covered by a roof with exposure to the south. This allows the birds to still receive sufficient light, have good height to move around, but minimizes the exposure of the run to rain and snow.
This set-up also works well in that it allows the birds to take dust baths almost year round, while providing ample protection against predators and pests.
Wet areas in Chicken Runs
The key to keeping mud out of runs is to keep them dry. If it's a matter of rain, adding a seasonal or permanent roof over the run will help keep the moisture out. Even a dense shade cloth can be a temporary solution until you are able to implement something more permanent. If you are having problems with run-off entering the run area, bank the soil around the coop to divert it. Adding gutters to roofs will also help move the water and can be captured for rain water collection.
Mosquitoes and Fowl Pox
If you are in an area with lots of mosquitos, be aware of fowl pox. Fowl pox is transmitted by mosquitoes and cannot be transferred to humans, but is very serious to chickens. Try to minimize any areas of standing water and dampness. Also be sure to frequently dump and scrubbed waters and keep water fresh.
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