Free range chickens during rainy days?

[bridgetchicken]

What should I do if my free range chickens are outside and the weather is raining? Do I have to build a tarp cover to protect them? Or should I keep them locked up in the coop?

 

[Yardmom]

They should have access to go to the coop or another dry place. They are usually pretty good at deciding when the weather is to bad to be outside.

 

[RubelliteRose]

You should have some sort of protection for them. Do they have free access to the coop? Mine don't like to stay in the coop, but spend rainy days sitting under a shrub or under the back porch.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If they have access to a dry shelter when they need it they will be fine unless it's freezing rain. Mine go back and forth between the barn and out in the rain all of the time.

 

[mowin]

Unless it's a downpour, mine don't care. They will wonder about like it's sunny out. If they get uncomfortable, they head back to the run/coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

Make sure that they have access to their coop and to some dry shelters in the run and they'll be fine.

I've seen mine outside foraging in between rain bands during tropical storms.

You might find this thread reassuring: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wet-hens.1442537/

 

[Bhubbard]

Mine seem to enjoy the rain and act like it’s not even happening

 

[Raptor Chicken]

As has been mentioned, mine don't care about a light to moderate rain. They'll go out in it until they don't feel like being in it.

If its a downpour they stay underneath the roofed run.