Chickens and rain

[Wimomof2]

Chickens and rain
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I hope this isnt a stupid question. But do your chickens stay out in the rain or go into the coop? Is it ok for them to be wet? 2 nights ago after a storm, I went out to close up the coop and one of my speckled sussexs didnt go in (she hadnt gone in at night for about 3 days) I usually just pick her up and put her in. Well I found her laying next to the coop almost dead. I rushed her into the house and blow dried her, gave her nutri-drench and wrapped her up in a heating pad and warm towel. I held her for a few hours. At midnight i put her into a crate with a heat lamp, she had water and food. She was dead in the morning. She had been moving her head and she did open her eyes several times while i was holding her. My 11 yr old son is devastated. She was the friendliest of all our chickens. What should I have done different? Do I need run out everytime it rains and put them in? Thanks.

 

[SMorrison7k]

I'm not sure if this is much help....but my chickens will often stay out in the rain if it is a light drizzle, but seek shelter if it's very hard. I'm not sure why she wouldn't go to her coop. Any chance of bug infestation in the coop? Or was she being picked on by other hens?
I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[Simplyrla]

My chicken actually seem to enjoy a light summer rain. I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you did what you could to support her.

 

[Wimomof2]

I couldnt figure out why, I never saw her getting picked on. And I am out there often! No mites or lice or anything I could see.
It is raining again now pretty good and they were all out getting soaked! So I went and put them in. Fun trying to catch the rooster! Ha Got him tho!

 

[imnukensc]

My chickens will stay out in a light rain all day, but a heavy downpour will send them into the covered run until it slacks up.

 

[SMorrison7k]

I couldnt figure out why, I never saw her getting picked on. And I am out there often! No mites or lice or anything I could see.
It is raining again now pretty good and they were all out getting soaked! So I went and put them in. Fun trying to catch the rooster! Ha Got him tho!

I feel like there must be a reason they are avoiding the coop during a rainstorm! From my experience, chickens don't want to get drenched. Are your chickens showing any signs of mites? You can't usually see them in the coop. Or maybe the coop is really loud and scary during the rain? Just some thoughts. I'm sorry I'm not a ton of help!

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

Sounds like she was sick before she died. Maybe getting into the coop was too difficult for her. Do they have to climb a ramp or anything else that might be more difficult for a sick hen? I know that hens often do not show any clinical signs until they are really really ill - it’s a protective measure so that the other flock members or predators don’t suspect anything and either kick them out or eat them.

 

[MontanaChickDoc]

And my dumb polish stay out in the rain all the time! See pic under post “wet hens”. It certainly has been a wet spring here in VA.

 

[Wimomof2]

They did have lice went we first got them and i treated them and coop with permethin and have seen none since.

My guess is that she was ill, i just didnt know it. She was so sweet.

 

[SMorrison7k]

They did have lice went we first got them and i treated them and coop with permethin and have seen none since.

My guess is that she was ill, i just didnt know it. She was so sweet.

I'm sure you are probably right about her being ill. Sorry again for your loss...and sorry to your son as well