Do chickens hate rain?

[kiwi-chick]

My 4 chickens have decided that the deck and our only doorway are the place to be when it rains.

I want this behavior to change as it rains a lot here! Is there anything I can do to stop them from taking shelter in the doorway. I don't let them out of the run until after the eggs have been laid, usually around 9:30am.

I do not want to lock them up in the coop and run as I think they are better off free ranging/roaming our property.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Can they get under the deck? Mine spend all of their time during inclement weather under my front porch. btw they hate wind more than rain.

 

[kiwi-chick]

Can they get under the deck?

At first I thought - yes, brilliant idea! Then I realized that no that wasn't a good idea as the crawl space would mean trying to lay on my belly to clean the area under the deck. No siree - not doing that!

 

[BDutch]

If you provide them a better alternative to hide from the rain and wind they will change their hiding place.

Build a new luxery hiding place for your flock. And to change the habit. Make a temporary fence or netting on/around your deck.

 

[luckiestck1]

Really mine love the rain i see them standing out in the rain going about there business. Even the silkies.

 

[BDutch]

Mine don't mind a bit if rain. But certainly take shelter if it is raining cats and dogs.

 

[erehwon]

I was surprised that our chickens love the rain as I was always under the impression a wet chicken was an unhappy one! Even when drenched and looking way past their best they still chase around in it leaving their shelters empty. Chickens are baffling creatures!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

At first I thought - yes, brilliant idea! Then I realized that no that wasn't a good idea as the crawl space would mean trying to lay on my belly to clean the area under the deck. No siree - not doing that!

Might not be as hard as you think. A leaf rake should be able to pull most stuff out.

 

[Willowspirit]

My chickens are okay in the rain. They go back in the coops when it pours but come right back out when it slows down or stops. They walk around with the tops of their fluffy tails a bit soggy. The rest of their feathers seem dry. I’m letting them cope. They free range about 8-10 hours a day.