Chickens in the rain

[CrashingPines]

Ive been letting my young flock (12 weeks old) out to free range every evening. There’s a mix of buff brahmas and Easter Eggers. The one cockerel is a Brahma. Tonight I noticed that the cockerel was standing in the pouring rain while all the pullets had retreated to the coop. He was at attention, just standing there, getting sopping wet. When the rain finally ceased, everyone else came out to range. Is he doing some kind of job or just risking himself getting drowned?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Maybe he was so shocked he just froze in fear. Hopefully next time he will have learned to run to shelter.

 

[Jajika]

If it starts to rain during the day my girls run for cover. However, at night they will sit in the rain! I have a fully covered yard with their coop inside. So, they are safe at night but why they will sit in the rain and get soaked is beyond me.

 

[Sueby]

Mine stay out in it all day, doesn't bother them one bit because they have the option of a coop or a covered run but they choose the open pen!

The day I picked the drowned rats up...

 

[Shorty22366]

My chickens love being out in rain as long as it isn't raining hard and not cold.

 

[aart]

The day I picked the drowned rats up...

Wow, they are really wet!!

First time I had 'drowned rats', I was worried as it was rather chilly out...
...but I stuck my hand under those wet feathers and they were dry and fluffy at skin level. Never worried about it again.

Some love the rain, some run for cover at the first drops.

 

[CrashingPines]

I’m glad to know others like the rain! Everyone is doing fine and enjoying the (brief) sunshine today.

 

[Jajika]

Hi All: Thanks for all these good notes. Sounds like I shouldn't be so worried. Also, we are in Northern California near San Francisco, so it doesn't know here and rarely gets below 30F. Your comments help a lot.