Chickens and thunderstorms

[JacobH28]

With the recent weather seemingly getting more and more extreme, are chickens afraid of thunder, lightning, or hail? I would love to know to maybe help better their coop.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Yes, chickens are afraid of thunderstorms just like many other animals are, especially younger chickens who have not yet gotten an understanding of what is happening when it is raining. It helps to have an area in their coop or pen that is closed off and safe from the thunderstorm in order to make the chickens feel less stressed.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

With the recent weather seemingly getting more and more extreme, are chickens afraid of thunder, lightning, or hail? I would love to know to maybe help better their coop.

No more or less than any other wild animal.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine don't really care. They go into their run when it's pouring usually, but some like to just stay outside and get soaked

 

[Coops Dad]

Some of our flock will hide in the tractor shed when it's thundering, others don't seem to care. Almost all of them will forage in the rain since their hunts are much more successful when the worms are being driven aboveground to avoid drowning and bugs are crawling up stems for the same reason.

 

[Folly's place]

Have shelter available, so the birds can go into their coop or roofed run, and let them decide where to be. Chicks need protection, adults with experience can manage just fine.
Serious weather, as tornadoes or bad wind storms, do your best to protect them.
Mary

 

[SandyRiverChick]

If I write a list of which animals care most to least, chickens are at the bottom. They do care and I see them freeze in place for a bit like when they know a flying predator is around. But they don't lose their minds like horses and they don't find me to let me know the end of times is here like my 165lb. dog who can squeeze himself under the coffee table during football games....

 

[JacobH28]

Some of our flock will hide in the tractor shed when it's thundering, others don't seem to care. Almost all of them will forage in the rain since their hunts are much more successful when the worms are being driven aboveground to avoid drowning and bugs are crawling up stems for the same reason.

Thanks!!

 

[JacobH28]

Mine don't really care. They go into their run when it's pouring usually, but some like to just stay outside and get soaked

Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree that they don't really care all that much. Just make sure they have shelter they can use during storms.