chickens and rain

[Harestad Farm]

Hey I know chickens are not a fan of moist, wet, rainy, muddy environments. But Here in seattle some times we get a few rainy wet days a year... So realizing I had a moisture and mud problem Ive spent the past month renovating The Pen (30x 20 ft area) and adding and additional 10x5x6 ft of space to their existing coop5x4x5 and added a bunch of vents and windows so they have a large comfortable spot to hang out in....SO MY QUESTION..... On the VERY FEW (sarcasm) days we get rain in seattle, do I just keep them locked in the Coop, or do i still open the coop up and allow them to have free choice to chose if they want to go out in the pen.... I covered the ground of the pen in wood chips so puddles and mud are almost non existent even on really rainy days, but the chickens are still getting soaked becaus if givin the option the still love to go run around... thanks for the advice

 

[Frazzemrat1]

So long as you have some area of cover, I'd let them out. They can make the choices. So far, I've opened the door to the coop every day, no matter the weather. In the last two snow storms, I've kept them in the covered portion of my run. The really cold days we've gotten over here in New England, they seem to be hanging out in the coop. They come out, eat and drink and head back in the coop or in the nest boxes under the coop.

 

[Percheron chick]

Some of your hens will go outside no matter the weather and others think they will die if they get a drop of rain on their back. Let them choose.
You can make them a sunroom with an old large window. Secure it to the S or W side of the coop giving them a dry sunny place to hang out under.

 

[Chickassan]

I let mine out reguardless,the ones that don't mind rain go do their chicken thing the ones that melt seek cover.

 

[Harestad Farm]

thanks guys... ok ill keep letting them out... mine are true seattle chickens. they love the rain..... on the weekends i let them roam free around the whole back yard and it could be pouring and they will still be out pecking around . i just wasnt sure if i was being a poor parent...haha

 

[lissalischicks]

It doesn't rain where I am as much as you, but I open the door when it rains to give them the option. We just had a rain spell and they were okay with the rain until it turned into a serious downpour. When it did all but one rain into their coop. One of mine took her sweet time and could care less she was getting soaked. When I checked them before I locked them in for the night, the girl was completely dry. I think most of them can take care of themselves.... nature takes over.