Chickens sleeping in the rain -- should I make them move somewhere drier or will they figure it out

[Sutremaine]

The first few nights we had the chickens, they wanted to pile in the corner instead of going into the little prefab box coop. I didn't want them sleeping on top of their own droppings, so I made them go in the coop to roost. Since then there have been a few modifications to the run/coop, the ones of note being the dust sheet over three quarters of the run and the long branch stuck through the top of the coop. The chickens like to sleep on the branch, under the only part of the run open to the sky.

Right now it's not really a problem because nights are either rainy and warm or dry and brisk, but eventually it's going to be dropping cold rain. Will I need to go out and sort them out like I did the first few nights, or will they have the sense to go under the cover of the coop? Even though it's been chucking down a lot lately, and is right now, it hasn't been raining right when the chickens are going to roost. I wish that'd happen soon, it'd go a long way towards answering my question.

Edit: Well, I went out and moved them into the coop. They sat there for a little while and shook themselves off, then started sticking their heads out of the nestbox (former) roof area and making 'unk unk unk' noises, so I got them climbed onto my hands and I placed them on the area of branch under the dustsheet. Then they worked their way back right where they started. Oh well, they know for sure now that it's dry under the coop roof and less rainy under the dustsheet, and still they want to sit in the rain.

I guess I'll grease their feathers up a bit tomorrow with some oil in their feed. They were starting to look a big soggy between their wings and on top of their heads.

 

[cavemanrich]

Post some pix so easier to give recommendations.. Possibly cover the area where they like to be open air, or relocate the branch so it is in covered area.

.. You may be redoing your whole roost.??? Wet is no good. Ducks and geese can handle it, but chickens NO ..

WISHING YOU BEST

 

[aart]

The first few nights we had the chickens, they wanted to pile in the corner instead of going into the little prefab box coop. I didn't want them sleeping on top of their own droppings, so I made them go in the coop to roost. Since then there have been a few modifications to the run/coop, the ones of note being the dust sheet over three quarters of the run and the long branch stuck through the top of the coop. The chickens like to sleep on the branch, under the only part of the run open to the sky.

Right now it's not really a problem because nights are either rainy and warm or dry and brisk, but eventually it's going to be dropping cold rain. Will I need to go out and sort them out like I did the first few nights, or will they have the sense to go under the cover of the coop? Even though it's been chucking down a lot lately, and is right now, it hasn't been raining right when the chickens are going to roost. I wish that'd happen soon, it'd go a long way towards answering my question.

Edit: Well, I went out and moved them into the coop. They sat there for a little while and shook themselves off, then started sticking their heads out of the nestbox (former) roof area and making 'unk unk unk' noises, so I got them climbed onto my hands and I placed them on the area of branch under the dustsheet. Then they worked their way back right where they started. Oh well, they know for sure now that it's dry under the coop roof and less rainy under the dustsheet, and still they want to sit in the rain.

I guess I'll grease their feathers up a bit tomorrow with some oil in their feed. They were starting to look a big soggy between their wings and on top of their heads.

Please don't grease their feathers up or feed them oil, that will not solve the problem and may cause more harm than good.

You need to figure out why they won't go in the coop.
My guess is it's too small for the number of birds you have...
....and it may be stuffy in there too as the prefab coops rarely have adequate space or ventilation.

They need to have a dry place, with enough space and ventilation, that feels safe to them.
You may have to confine them to that space until they get into the habit of staying there.

 

[Sutremaine]

Oh no, I'm not going to rub them down with lard or anything... XD I meant add some fat to their feed so they have some spare for their preen gland.



Please excuse my terrible panorama skills.

The open area is all the way to the right, by the door, and they like to sleep where the branch dips down. The two chickens are visible. They're about 13 weeks old. The coop door is off at the moment because I want to flip it around waterproof side up -- I already swapped the side the door was on. The droppings tray and nest box roof and floor have been off for a few weeks at least.

 

[cavemanrich]

Your pictures are just fine.. Glad you posted them.. My assessment for the reason they are choosing the branch is clear. Branch is higher. than entrance to coop. Chickens see the whole enclosure as their coop. The small enclosed structure inside and low just feel like a nesting area. They are comfortable being on that branch at night because they feel secure. One solution is to raise the small coop and provide a ladder or board with rungs so chickens go up high to sleep. You need roost branches or boards inside for the chickens to choose it as their place desired. It will all be a learning experience for you. As long as there are places high for the chickens to perch on, that is what they will be choosing. Option is to maybe remove those branches for cold weather, and put them back in warm.

.. If they have no high roost available, then they may opt for enclosed coop. During warm weather there is no problem with them sleeping in the open.

GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT.

 

[Sutremaine]

Okay, here's tonight's effort:



Naturally, after a long wet day, the stars are forming their own umbrella. Tonight the chickens chose to sit right underneath one of the drip points of the umbrella because they didn't like the look of their usual spot, so I went out after dark and nudged them over. The branch is thick enough for them to walk along with a minor amount of wing balancing, which is handy.

We have enough stout bits of wood around to make a frame for the coop to sit on, and the long branch can then be passed between the coop and the frame.

 

[cavemanrich]

I can see the extremes you are going thru for your chickens ... This

explains it best...

 

[Sutremaine]

Well, I'm not really a huggy kind of guy, but thanks for the sentiment. It's not really extreme, it's adjusting to the environment. We tried to plan ahead as much as possible with the stone footing and other things that would be immovable once constructed.
Tonight it's raining hard enough to go through the umbrella. They have a couple of spots beaded on their backs, but they don't look like drowned rats.

Look at all that weather we're having. The grass splashes underfoot. That area's never drained very well, but with the blocks in the way the water's just piling up. If I could find that length of aquarium tubing I could siphon it off down the steps.

Mostly dry chickens. Perky's tail feathers are so daft-looking. They were quite impressive 'sickles' when she was six weeks old, but she's rather outgrown them now.