Chickens in the Rain

[scooter147]

I let mine choose.

I do have hens that will not come out in the rain and I have hens that will forage in it all day. The ones that stay out have figured out (I think) that the worms surface during the rain. Their little crops all most explode with worms.

 

[basicliving]

Henry'schickens :

My chickens decide for themselves if they want to go out in the rain or not. Most generally they do.

Same here. Regardless of weather and temperature, I open the chicken door each morning. I let them decide if it's too cold/windy/rainy/snowy/icy/etc. Rain doesn't seem to bother them in the least - ice, snow, or cold wind is another story. Some come out, some don't.​

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Mine are out in my front yard right now, and it pouring rain.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

In my book if an animal is stupid enough to stand out in the rain and soak themselves to the point of hypothermia then they should not be part of breeding stock.

With the exception of specialty breeds that are not accustomed to the wet- or show animals- or those never allowed to hone their natural instinct for survival by being outside a lot anyway- I just leave them with free access to the outside.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

I keep the barn door open for the ones that want to "go out and play" in the rain.

Believe me, they know what they do. Some of the chickens i have simply LOVE the rain. A nice day of wet weather is their cup of tea.

I can not force these guys in so I just let them runamuck. I guess this is why the wife has decided to call the farm:

Runamuck Farm. We deliver the eggs under runamuck chicken farm.
we sell the minis under runamuck miniatures.

Silly woman.

 

[scooter147]

I'm telling you the ones that like the rain have figured out there are lots of worms and bugs flushed out.

 

[cajunlizz]

My coops are elevated 2 ft. off the ground . This 2ft. allows the chickens to go under the coop for shade and to get out of the rain . Attached runs with all overhead wire for added protection from preditors .
Both coops have a wood floor with vinal floor above and pine shavings on top .. EASY clean up ... Main thing is plenty of ventilation BUT NO drafts ....

Both coops have a main door for us to enter to collect eggs , to clean out , to add new pine shavings , ETC. this door remains closed during the day , BUT the small peep door is always open and they enter and exist at their choice ...

Only time they do enter the coops is to lay and late evenings to go roost for bedtime . Other than that , they are in the runs . My chickens do not free range . We have over 100 in our flocks and this works great for us . 2 coops and 3 attached runs .

 

[patandchickens]

Another way to look at it: domestic chickens are descended from wild species native to places like Malaysia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia.

So it is not like chickens do not have a long evolutionary history of being rained on

(chicks and young birds you want to be much more careful with, of course, as with any species)


Pat

 

[digginchicks]

mine have been rained on and are fine

 

[Judy]

Quote:

Good for you, for letting him live as he chooses!