Can Rain Hurt my 6 Week Olds?

[JSossong]

My chicks are 6 weeks old. It seems that they are almost completely feathered and they're beefing up a bit. They've been spending a lot of time outside and I was wondering if a bit of rain will hurt them? With the weird weather lately I've been having to put them out-bring them back in-and then put them out again when it rains. Its kind of a pain.

Thoughts or advice?
Thanks!
xxx

 

[Mountain Peeps]

It shouldn't hurt them. It will probably scare them especially if there is thunder. So, either bring them inside during the rain showers or put something over the cage (or whatever you are using) so the rain doesn't fall on them.

 

[JSossong]

That's what I've been doing. These May showers like to come out of nowhere and tend to not last very long. Which means a lot of running back and forth for me, which is alright.

So if they do get rained on a bit, they'll technically be alright?

I don't plan on leaving them out in the rain but I've been a worried mess every time it rains trying to get them all inside because I wasn't sure if the rain would be harmful.

 

[Toehead]

Mine are about the same age and are in their coop with free access to the pen. When it rains, they go inside until it stops

 

[debid]

You really shouldn't have to show them it's dry inside their coop more than once. I have seen chickens stand in the rain until soaked on a hot day that goes stormy but generally they seek cover as soon as the rain gets to be more than a sprinkle.

 

[JSossong]

Thanks!

Weirdly enough its been sprinkling on and off all morning. I've been watching them and they don't really even notice it. Of course i'll bring them in if it rains any harder. I'm curious to see how they act in the run/coop once I put them in there!

 

[Blooie]

My have been out since they were 5.5 weeks old, and the first couple of days they were out there it snowed. They did fine, wandering around in it, scratching in it, and going inside the coop if they got their tootsies cold. Recently we've had three days of steady rain. Same story. They are 11 weeks old today and thriving....well feathered, eating well, and making themselves comfortable if they get too wet by going back in the coop during the worst of it. Hope that eases your mind.