Chicks during a thunderstorm???

[lizzy06019]

Ok... this may sounds like a total greenhorn question and I kinda feel silly for asking, but rather safe than sorry, right? So, we're having a thunderstorm for the first time since I've owned chicks. They're currently outside in their coop/run. Do I need to make sure they're in their coop? You know how the weather station always posts warnings and such. I was wondering if I need to do anything special for my girls to keep them safe during a severe thunderstorm. I'm sure this sounds so goofy to be asking....

 

[HEChicken]

Not at all goofy - I'm sure we've all worried about the same thing. My experience has been that they are pretty good at taking care of themselves. As long as they have a place they CAN get out of the weather, I let them make the decision whether to go in or stay out. Some chickens don't seem to mind getting wet at all!

 

[exbiologist]

My 6 week olds figured it out how to find shelter pretty quickly, either by huddling under a tree or going back inside(for the first time today!).

 

[chicken boy sam]

We're having a thunderstorm!!!!! My chickens go inside when they need to, including when there's bad weather. My chickens are outside still at the moment!

 

[lizzy06019]

Quote:
Hey, we're in CT too!!!! What part of the state are you in? the storm started around 5ish. It got pretty dark here. I kept looking down at the coop/run and the chicks were still playing around outside under the covered part. They made it through their first storm

 

[Kimiko]

I would like to say they SHOULD be at least smart enough to go in when it rains but...

I have 5 chickens that like to hunker down on top of the coop. I did evening stables @ 8 and went back out @ 11:30. There were 5 sopping wet, shivering chickens huddled together on top of the coop. It was pouring rain, the wind was howling and they'd made no move to go IN the coop. Now I put them in the coop at night if it's going to rain.

 

[chicken boy sam]

Quote:
Hey, we're in CT too!!!! What part of the state are you in? We're in Colchester and the storm started around 5ish. It got pretty dark here. I kept looking down at the coop/run and the chicks were still playing around outside under the covered part. They made it through their first storm

We're in the Guilford/Madison area. It didn't get dark round here at all!!! My chickens love the rain, but go in when needed to.

 

[newchicksnducks]

Quote:
I had 10 week old pullets and 6 week old pullets last year. The older girls went back inside the coop for the thunderstorm. Somehow, the pop door came unlatched and closed on the younger ones. I found them outside the coop, soaking wet. I bet one of the older girls thought it would be a good trick on the new comers, and they were laughing their heads off, nice and dry, inside the coop!

I felt sorry for the little ones when I found them after the storm. I put the big girls out in the run, placed the youngsters inside with some fresh, dry shavings, and a handful of treats! Everyone survived and is thriving a year later

 

[MareeZoCool]

My hen & roo would shun their coop/run, stay out in the rain hunting bugs , then slip under the truck or cars parked near their coop. I used to worry and wonder how I could dry them off, just to see them happily slurping up a worm!

 

[lizzy06019]

We've had a couple storms go through here since I posted this and it seems like they all have a GREAT time in the rain!!! The thunder bothers some and others run continue to run around the run playing tag. They are so cute!!! I have also seen them hunt for bugs while it rains. This is hilarious!!!! I knew I'd have a good time raising chickens but I never knew just how much!