Do Chickens Like the Rain?

[GrayChickens]

I've heard chickens love rain and snow. Mine wouldn't leave the coop until it stoped! Is this normal ?

 

[Brady bunch]

I've heard chickens love rain and snow. Mine wouldn't leave the coop until it stoped! Is this normal ?

How old are they? It is pretty normal. Our chickens will go in their covered pen to get out of the rain. If this is their first year experiencing snow they may be afraid.

 

[chickens really]

Well mine definitely don't like heavy rain or snow. A light sprinkle of rain doesn't bother them. A few flakes of snow they still walk around. What types of rain and snow are you talking about? What breeds?

 

[Skippersnh]

mine wont come out of the coop this winter because theres snow on the ground

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Mine will come out in the rain but like to hang out under the various shelters I have for them. Some will run around in the snow gladly - others not so much. I've had birds that loved snow and some birds that spent the whole winter in the coop. Some flocks would go out all day, some only long enough to eat, some just for a few hours. It largely depends on your rooster or lead hen.

These birds had no problem with the snow.

These ones neither.

 

[alexisrambles]

My chickens will stand in the pouring rain, just getting soaked... but I live in Louisiana and it's deadly hot too. In the winter they avoid the rain. They seem to know when it'd be bad for them.

 

[Sequel]

Mine sure don’t like to go out when it’s raining, snowing or when the wind is blowing much. So to answer your question, yes it’s normal! Good luck!

 

[coach723]

Mine don't mind light rain, they don't like heavy rain or wind. Most chickens tend to be wary of what they haven't seen before, so if this is their first experience with snow it may just be that reluctance to take a risk. I've seen them not want to come out of the coop just because something new was in the run or the materials on the run floor were different. I moved a fence line once and they wouldn't cross the line in the grass where the fence used to be. After several days I went out and physically moved them all over the line, and then they were ok with it. No telling with chickens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mine hate rain but still choose to stand in it 90% of the time - heavy rain will drive them indoors though. Mine will not come out in snow so I shovel enough away to convince them to come out so they don't go stir crazy indoors.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Mine will come out in the rain or snow, but they definitely don't like it.