Do I dry him?

[Shadyangel2003]

So my rooster (Ragnar) is part silkie? And It's raining here and supposedly going to snow later. He is drenched and looks like a wet dog .....First time chicken owner let alone a silkie one. Do I need to dry him? Should I keep them locked up in the coop the next few days since it's supposed to half rain half snow? Help please don't want him to get sick.

 

[FrostRanger]

So my rooster (Ragnar) is part silkie? And It's raining here and supposedly going to snow later. He is drenched and looks like a wet dog .....First time chicken owner let alone a silkie one. Do I need to dry him? Should I keep them locked up in the coop the next few days since it's supposed to half rain half snow? Help please don't want him to get sick.

If he's wet absolutely dry him. If you have a hair dryer you can use it on low to dry him

 

[Shadyangel2003]

If he's wet absolutely dry him. If you have a hair dryer you can use it on low to dry

So would it be best to keep them all locked in the coop until this rain/snow situation passes or just dry him before locking them up for the night?

He is under a year and I don't know if the people I got him from ever dried him before, won't he freak out?

 

[FrostRanger]

So would it be best to keep them all locked in the coop until this rain/snow situation passes or just dry him before locking them up for the night?

He is under a year and I don't know if the people I got him from ever dried him before, won't he freak out?

If he's getting wet, I'd at least keep him in until it stops sleeting. Just go slowly, evidently many birds actually like the hair dryer. I certainly would make sure he's dry before putting him back in the coop. Chickens can take the cold, but not being cold and wet

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens make a lot of heat. They will dry themselves most of the time pretty quickly. If he is stressed by handling, I let him dry himself.

Instead of locking up in the coop, is there a way to set up a shelter in the run? A tote on the side, a piece of plywood on blocks, an old table?

 

[Shadyangel2003]

Chickens make a lot of heat. They will dry themselves most of the time pretty quickly. If he is stressed by handling, I let him dry himself.

Instead of locking up in the coop, is there a way to set up a shelter in the run? A tote on the side, a piece of plywood on blocks, an old table?

There is a shelter right under the coop because it's like 5ft off the ground but he seems to like the rain.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well he knows more about being a chicken, than either you or me. If he has options, protection or out in the middle of it, I let them choose and don’t worry about it.

 

[Shadyangel2003]

Well he knows more about being a chicken, than either you or me. If he has options, protection or out in the middle of it, I let them choose and don’t worry about it.

I was just worried because of all you read about those types of breeds and didn't want him to freeze (even though he is only part) but only stressful part was maybe the catching he seemed fine being held and with the sound and feel of the hairdryer (I live in a rainy state and just having an abnormal cold snap of high 20°f to mid 30°f at night this week just wanted to be safe. I know how intolerant I am of cold and how miserable it would be while being wet in those temps.

 

[Mrs. K]

Won’t hurt him at all if he is calm while being handled. Certainly go ahead if you want to.

My point is chickens are much more tolerant of cold than a lot of people. They produce a lot of heat and once out of the rain, quickly dry off. Often times they will look quite bedraggled, but underneath they are dry.

 

[Shadyangel2003]

Won’t hurt him at all if he is calm while being handled. Certainly go ahead if you want to.

My point is chickens are much more tolerant of cold than a lot of people. They produce a lot of heat and once out of the rain, quickly dry off. Often times they will look quite bedraggled, but underneath they are dry.

That makes me feel more calm ty, almost am willing to let them out and be in the snow if they want (feel so guilty keeping them in the coop)