Do chickens get wet?

[catterbug]

I was chatting with my 5 year old today while it was raining. Anyways he started to tell me how chickens wouldn't get wet in the rain since they are a type of bird. (We have a book about ducks and how ducks don't get wet because of their oil glands.) Anyways, he went on to say that all birds don't get wet because they have feathers like ducks. So do chickens get wet? I didn't think they had the same oil glands like ducks since ducks actually swim. Leave it to a five year old to get his mom thinking.

 

[bywaterdog]

What a great 5 year old you have, yes chickens do get wet.

 

[Oven Ready]

Yes, chickens do get wet.

While most birds feathers are water-repellent few, if any, are waterproof.
The scale of water-repellent runs from Penguins (virtually waterproof) thru to Cormorants (they soak up water to help it sink).

Chickens are at the lower end of the scale. Light rain will run off them, heavy rain gets them wet.

Isn't it great to have such enquiring minds ?

 

[pgpoultry]

My Brahmas look like drowned rats when they have been out for an hour or two in rain. All chickens have an oil gland over the base of the tail and you will see the chicken taking oil from the gland whilst they are preening to help to waterproof their feathers. Some chickens are a lot more waterproof than others (Actually the Brahmas are pretty good)

Sandie

 

[MuranoFarms]

Yes, chickens get wet. In fact, silkies get so wet they look like little drowned muppets!

 

[33yardbirds]

Ours at this moment are scratching around in a thunder storm, a little shimmy and shake then back to scratching. They are soaked.

 

[Cattitude]

One of my Mama's phrases was "madder than a wet hen". I must agree that a wet chicken gives a marvelous stink eye!

 

[speakup4kids]

That is so funny about the silkies!! I was just about to post, that you should see my silkies after a bath!!! Talk about a drowned rat!!

 

[Chicky Tocks]

This is one of my Buff Orpingtons who was caught out in a downpour while free ranging.

 

[noodleroo]

Mine don't seem to mind being wet at all. They will stand in the pouring rain when all they have to do is walk in the coop through the open door. I don't bathe my chickens but if they got really dirty or stinky I guess I would. When they're little, you don't want them to get wet and chilled but its OK if they get wet...