chickens getting rained on!

[slickchick]

My question is that my chickens will not go into their henhouse quite yet. They are 5-6 weeks old. Is it okay to leave them out in the rain in their coop?

 

[Rooster01]

As long as their not getting wet they should be fine. Though it may get a little cold on them. Do they have a heat amp?

 

[BeckyLa]

I have around 50 chickens now and whenever we have a good rain most of them will be out in it. I think this time of year it feels good to them. If they're healthy, standing in the rain won't hurt them.

 

[slickchick]

No, they don't have a heat lamp outside. I have been letting them out there for the last 3 weeks or so, and bringing them in at night, but they won't go into the henhouse. We are supposed to be getting some storms this afternoon and I was wondering if they would automatically find shelter and go inside when it rains, or will they just sit out in the rain? I decided to bring them inside to their brooder in the garage for the time being. I guess I may have to lock them in the henhouse for a few days so that they get the idea of the whole thing.

 

[FluffyChickenMama]

my hens have tons of places to get.. under buildings in their houses, and they do go in their houses, but still when it rains they walk around in it.. I think its because they can catch the biggest worms during and right after a rain.. and it prob cools them down..

 

[silkiechicken]

When it rains heavily here the chickens all go hide under the cars or in their favorite spot, on the front porch. Yuck! Rain is cold here so they don't particularly like it when it is heavy. Since it is always kind of drizzily though, they usually end up walking around in light rain.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

But you are talking about 5 or 6 week old chicks, aren't you? Not grown chickens! I wouldn't think it would be good for them to get rained on, till they are bigger. It would definately be my choice to see that they are in shelter when it rains. And I think your idea of shutting them into the henhouse for a few days, so they know where "home" is, is a good idea. Unless there are grown chickens in there, also, who would pick on them, and they couldn't escape if shut in.

 

[slickchick]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I did bring them inside just in time for the rain to come down. I think if they would go into their henhouse I would be fine with them staying outside all the time. They do have most of their feathers, except for a few spots with baby fuz. Any suggestions on what you have all used to waterproof the henhouse? Thanks.

 

[Cheri]

My boys stood out in the rain yesterday and today they were at the door like "ma let us out!" but it was too wet.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

I'm a little lost on what you are asking. Does your roof leak on your henhouse, or how does it need waterproofing?