Are chickens ok in the rain?

[SomeChickinTN]

The run is finally finished. It's pouring today but I opened the run door anyway. All the hens came out for a few minutes and they all went back in the coop except one.

There is one lone bird standing in the rain looking like a drowned rat. She is not foraging or anything, just stands stock still, looking around, then moves about a foot and stands looking around. Should I leave her alone, or try to get her back in the coop?

 

[Kiki]

How cold is it there?

 

[SomeChickinTN]

How cold is it there?

It's 41 right now. I think it's supposed to be almost 50 today.

 

[Kiki]

I would guess if she was miserable she'd go back inside.
She may not know better though.
I'd leave her be for a little while and wait to see what she does.

 

[SomeChickinTN]

I would guess if she was miserable she'd go back inside.
She may not know better though.
I'd leave her be for a little while and wait to see what she does.

Ok. It's been at least 20 minutes now. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't make her sick or something.

 

[SomeChickinTN]

So, another hen came out and almost seemed to startle her. She flapped and took off running, stumbled, and now she's still in the rain, but foraging and running around like a chicken and acting normal....

 

[PirateGirl]

You said you just finished the run... Are the chickens already used to going in and out of the coop? Are they young? Are they trained to the coop? If this coop/run setup is new to them it's kinda hit or miss whether they will go back in the coop when necessary on their own. Eventually they learn when to go back in, but in your case you may have to catch/herd her back into the coop for her own safety. Once she is wet she will have a hard time regulating her temperature.

 

[SomeChickinTN]

You said you just finished the run... Are the chickens already used to going in and out of the coop? Are they young? Are they trained to the coop? If this coop/run setup is new to them it's kinda hit or miss whether they will go back in the coop when necessary on their own. Eventually they learn when to go back in, but in your case you may have to catch/herd her back into the coop for her own safety. Once she is wet she will have a hard time regulating her temperature.

Yeah, yesterday was their first day in the run. We hadn't framed the access door yet, but I didn't want to make them stay in the coop anymore, so we let them out but didn't have access to the run. So my son was at the pop door trying to entice her with bread. When that didn't work, he squeezed himself through the pop door and put her in, so she's out of the rain now.

 

[PirateGirl]

I'm so glad she's in now! Usually in about a week they get it and will be putting themselves back in the coop at dusk or if the weather is terrible, but you may find yourself chasing and catching chickens for a few days. It will get better, they will learn, and you will be able to relax!

 

[CoopintheWoods]

My hens love the rain. I have some that just stand there and get wet, but they generally go inside before getting too soaked. You did the right thing in bringing her inside, as chickens can become pretty confused as they adjust to a new setting.