[Prod]

For those who have read my posts (the amount I apologise for)  will know that I live up in the Brecon Hills, 1500ft above sea level  so no worry about floods but extremely exposed. My chickens free range on a small field  but it looks more like the Somme than a green field, it is heavy red clay which is like glue to walk through.  As I type this we are directly under a violent thunder storm with lightening, great for watching but not for the hens.   I have one coop which is a converted 6 x 4 shed with only half my birds in.  I wanted to ask if anyone thought of my  idea to put all my birds in together, obviously  with supplies of food & water, as the weather is going to continue and when I let them out they just run for cover, even force themselves under the sheds?  Getting wet is bad enough for them but wet & muddy  I don't think is suitable for them.

[finleyfreyaseth]

im pretty sure if they want to find cover they will same with food and water if its there for them,my girls are in a large run with a6x4 shed attached they are out all the time one side of the enclosure is covered the other half not ,they spend as much time in both halfs in all weathers,ive seen em looking like drowned rats in the rain and it never seems bother them egg production never differs,i think we can pamper them a little too much so they don't become hardy,dont get me wrong mine aren't just egg producers ,I go up there everyday mb sometimes twice they get fresh water everyday  sometimes few greens as atreat, I stand at there gate watching them rooting and searching for things for ages find it entertaining,but they out in all weathers rain hail or snow if they want shelter theres a large shed for them ,so id not worry too much as long as there shelter available ,food and water they'll be fine

[joyfull]

Just provide them with some shelter should they need it and they will be fine

[upert]

Make sure the shelter can't blow away though.

[Prod]

Cheers  it actually calmed down a bit today   so I have made some shelters just by propping large sheets of wood against things  plus they go under the trailer which I keep on the field upside down to stop it collecting water. I guess they find it easier to walk through than I do...  I stripped some pallets down to lay on the ground as footpaths, they have just sunk into the mud   

[Sassy]

Have you got enough pallets to lay them down without stripping them down? they will not sink into the clay so easily then. The smiley smiley isn't there!