Can Chickens Swim

[Ascholten]

Scenario: I have a 2 foot deep pool of water. One of the girls gets plopped into it somehow. Can they float long enough and get enough lift, even wet, to get out or are they going to sink like a rock?

Aaron

 

[CrazyChicken360]

I am pretty positive that chickens can swim and support themselves, but I’m not sure.

 

[Isadora]

No. I'm sure they would float for a moment or two but they can't swim and once they become waterlogged they drown quickly.
If you search "chicken drowning" in the search bar, you'll see plenty of posts where it happens. Usually things like a water trough for livestock or in a pool or something.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Scenario: I have a 2 foot deep pool of water. One of the girls gets plopped into it somehow. Can they float long enough and get enough lift, even wet, to get out or are they going to sink like a rock?

Aaron

They can get bogged down pretty quick. They can sometimes use their wings to propel themselves forward, but they don't really swim. They can also panic and get their feathers soaked. Folks with ponds/pools have to be careful. I read posts where their birds drown with some regularity.

I have a duck pond where my chickens forage. I make sure there are pavers all around the perimeter so that they can get out.

I came home one day to find my Leghorn cockerel standing on one of the pavers. He was completely drenched and heavy. I don't think he would've survived if it weren't for those pavers.

 

[MysteryChicken]

 

[Egg Blues]

I have never observed a water-loving chicken like those, so I would have to say those became attention getters for being anomalous. As with any species, there are always a few "rare birds" out there!

In general, no, chickens do not swim, and can easily drown. But, I suppose asking whether chickens swim might be a bit like asking whether people swim...some do, some don't, right? Albeit, I think with chickens one can safely say that very few do.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Some are light enough to float (my bb girls could, but their male was too heavy), but they cant actively swim and usually panic which causes them to become waterlogged faster and get dragged under

 

[Roosterinthecity]

Chickens take dust baths for a reason….no water

 

[Ascholten]

I have a few IBC totes, cut in half getting ready for whatever. 2 feet or so water in some of them. If one of them decided to hop up to see what is in it and lose her balance and go plop, will I find a dead chicken or a pissed off wet one, or what?

Putting a block in there may give them something to stand on but does not mean they will. Ive seen them do some pretty stupid Unintuitive things before. I guess I could throw them each in there one by one and see if they get out or flail, then go from there

The reason I ask is, a parakeet, a cockatoo, you throw in water it's a stone, good by bird, not even a chance Id imagine. Chicken, might, trying to get some info before I start putting tilapia into 'mini ponds' that are uncovered / chickens not protected from unwanted baths.

Aaron

 

[Aunt Angus]

Well, you learn something new every day.

Huh.

My cockerel was sure not interested in swimming - lol!