Do chicks know how to get out of the rain?

[aligarysmom]

And I think that’s why you are here asking. Just get them in out of the wet.

 

[rod5591]

The rain has stopped and the chickens seem to be ok. It is 60 degrees so not too cold. I covered the coop with a tarp before the rain tarp and it seems to have helped.

I am building a new coop for them, but it is difficult since I am new to chickens. I guess my mistake was to buy a small Chinese coop it looked good but I never would have guessed the chickens couldn’t go up the ladder to the dry area when it starts to rain.

 

[lazy gardener]

I apologize if I sounded harsh.

 

[aligarysmom]

I didn’t put mine outside at that age. But people do alll the time. So no big deal. But I do think it important to keep them dry if they go out.

 

[rod5591]

I agree with the others. It’s quite feasible they don’t know about dry spots in the run if there are any. And because it’s not night time for sleep they don’t understand to go in there when it rains? That age group is also not feathered enough to be wet. My mother has had chickens since I was a kid and she says even full feathered girls should not get drenched. It’s not good for them but can kill that age group.

And no one has asked that I have seen...is there a dry space in the run somewhere ?

Under the coop and nesting boxes seems driest, that’s where they went. But it was a thunderstorm and the rain was coming down at an angle. Guess I will get a big tarp to cover the coop for next time.

Thank you all for Responding

 

[rod5591]

I didn’t put mine outside at that age. But people do alll the time. So no big deal. But I do think it important to keep them dry if they go out.

It is pretty warm now, plus my wife asked me to remove them from the garage where the brooder was.

 

[rod5591]

I apologize if I sounded harsh.

Thank you, I realize you were trying to help! I feel a little frustrated by jumping in with both feet before I knew what I was doing. I bought this chicken coup from a farmers coop store and I feel very dissapointed they would sell me something that looked so good but functions not quite so well.

 

[rod5591]

And I think that’s why you are here asking. Just get them in out of the wet.

The thing is I can not. The way this coop is designed, I can not get the chicks. They would run to the corner where I can not reach. If I was younger I could half crawl in and take them out one at a time. But I am no longer young and I can not do what I once could. I think all I can do is buy a big tarp to cover the coop/run and build a bigger coop where I can access the birds more easily.

I use a special “reaching tool” to pick up things on the ground but I don’t think I can use it to pick up a chicken!

 

[lazy gardener]

So sorry for your frustration. I am always ranting about small coops, trying to save folks the frustration of dealing with them BEFORE they spend the money on them. Now that the money is spent, if you post a pic, perhaps we can collectively help you figure out to take what you have bought and make it functional. Do you have any wood working tools, or any one who does who can help you to modify your coop?

 

[PirateGirl]

I have been in your shoes, young chicks, pouring rain, huddled just where my arm couldn't reach. I find the broom can sometimes safely chase them out to where you can catch them. Sometimes they can be lured by treats. You might be able to recruit a friend or family member to go to the end where the chicks are and chase them towards you so you can snatch them. It's all a challenge and you will probably look as ridiculous as your feel! It's part of being a crazy chicken owner. If they are all huddled together they are getting chilled. Chicks that age may have their feathers, but they are still quite small and don't generate as much heat as a full grown hen. They learn, eventually, but you need to teach them a bit along the way. After a few of those days, I would lock them in the coop if the weather forecast was bad, especially if I was going to be at work. I was afraid I'd come home to half drowned chicks. They do get it eventually. It will get easier. You are doing your best and you have lots of BYCers on your team!