Chicks in a storm

[5 Points Wingfeather]

Mama hen decided to take babies (4days old) out of the coop and into the run. It’s coming a storm right now. Rain and wind. She is with them under the coop (not in the coop) so not getting directly rained on but still going to be wet I imagine. Do I need to go out into it and physically lift her and babies up into coop or will they be ok? The space underneath coop is 4 foot high so not easy for me to get under. All the other chickens decided to go under instead of in as well.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

What's the temperature? I would-though that might be because I had the same thing happen-and one of the chicks died (I found her in the run)

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

69 degrees

I’m a little afraid if I go out in it and crawl under coop that I’ll scare them and they will scatter and I will make it worse.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would go out and put momma and the babies inside.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

69 degrees

I’m a little afraid if I go out in it and crawl under coop that I’ll scare them and they will scatter and I will make it worse.

Well, it's a lot warmer than it was here (it was 40 out), so I'm not sure. I think they should be ok?

 

[Battlepants]

A couple of factors to consider:
-How "open" is the run? Are they able to get to a spot that the wind and rain won't hit them?
-How high of winds are expected? Is there a risk that a chick might blow away and not be able to get back to the hen?
-How big is momma and how many is she caring for? Can she easily cover the entire lot of them to protect them?

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

Wind is 15 mph. They are under coop and there is like a 2ft gap where rain and wind can come in. But they won’t be getting rain from above. She’s an Orpington so good sized. There are 6 babies. 4 days old so they easily fit under her

 

[Battlepants]

I'd probably try to add some sort of wind-break around the run for them to hide behind, if possible. For example, I have some large covered tubs that I use for feed in my yard. Moving this up next to the run (especially up-wind from them) might keep things a bit calmer/dryer under there.

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

I just went to check them. They seem fine right now. But today is their first day out of coop and it’ll rain till dark so I’m nervous about her getting them all back in in the rain. They’ve never had to go up the ramp before and their first time will be while it’s raining