Hens don’t lay in the rain

[z3lda3]

Let me rephrase, my hens don’t lay when it’s raining. I’ve got about 12 hens laying, some everyday some every other day. But when it rain, especially when it’s raining for days, I’ll be lucky to get 3 eggs. They’ve got access to the coop from the chicken yard/run. Nothing changes except it’s raining. The coop is dry, well ventilated. Anyone else notice this with their chickens? Or are my hens just really picky??

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

How old are they and where do they go to keep out of the rain?
When mine were younger they would avoid the weather and lay in the igloo on the front porch where they stayed to get out of rain/ snow (the front porch is covered and they have two dogloos and a dry-all-year kiddie pool dust bath provided for them there). Now they brave any kind of weather to get to the coop and lay.

 

[z3lda3]

How old are they and where do they go to keep out of the rain?
When mine were younger they would avoid the weather and lay in the igloo on the front porch where they stayed to get out of rain/ snow (the front porch is covered and they have two dogloos and a dry-all-year kiddie pool dust bath provided for them there). Now they brave any kind of weather to get to the coop and lay.

They’re over a year old. If they choose to get out of the rain they go into the coop. Unless it’s thundering, they typically don’t mind the rain. They also have different shelters spread about the yard and run area. I like to give them options I really wish they’d stay out of the rain, I’ve got some that are booted, and I have blow dry them, they just look pitiful. Although I don’t think they give a rats patootie if they get wet lol.

 

[z3lda3]

How old are they and where do they go to keep out of the rain?
When mine were younger they would avoid the weather and lay in the igloo on the front porch where they stayed to get out of rain/ snow (the front porch is covered and they have two dogloos and a dry-all-year kiddie pool dust bath provided for them there). Now they brave any kind of weather to get to the coop and lay.

Also I love your user name it’s great LOL

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hmm. I don't know, I never noticed. I write down how many eggs I get every day on my wall calendar. Now you've got me curious. I'll start making a note of the weather and see if production drops off on rainy days. If it does I guess I'll have to order little chicken raincoats or umbrellas.

 

[z3lda3]

Hmm. I don't know, I never noticed. I write down how many eggs I get every day on my wall calendar. Now you've got me curious. I'll start making a note of the weather and see if production drops off on rainy days. If it does I guess I'll have to order little chicken raincoats or umbrellas.

I have an egg chart too! It’s been raining here for the past 4 DAYS! And let’s just say my girls have given me a lot of I.O.Us lol. If you happen to notice a difference, let me know.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have an egg chart too! It’s been raining here for the past 4 DAYS! And let’s just say my girls have given me a lot of I.O.Us lol. If you happen to notice a difference, let me know.

I will. If I don't lose this thread. I think I can find it again though.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If chickens didn't lay when it was raining we'd never have eggs in WA state.

 

[z3lda3]

If chickens didn't lay when it was raining we'd never have eggs in WA state.

It’s the oddest thing. But over the past few months I’ve noticed a correlation between rainy weather and low egg production. Which is weird, because if I was a chicken I’d stop laying in summer/heat! “Sorry to hot to lay I’m afraid, get me some A/C and I’ll think about it”.

 

[SourRoses]

We get a lot of rain here, and daily showers all summer... while those don't affect the chickens laying, we have had egg strikes during hurricanes / tropical storms.
I wouldn't even say the storms are stressful for them, because they run right out into it and only go back to the coop for preening / dry-out sessions.
So I tend to think it has something to do with the light level. It wouldn't go into effect the first day of bad weather, since the egg is already in the production facilities, but on the second or third day of cloudy dark weather. In the past, after big storms, ours have taken a week to resume laying.

A coop light that comes on a few hours in the evening or morning could help keep your chickens laying through adverse weather, but keep in mind to schedule a couple months downtime for them (fall is good, so they can molt).

The micro climate for every keeper can change the experience too.
We place our coops in deep shade due to the deathray sun and heat here. Someone with a sunnier coop location, with big windows on the coop, is going to have more illuminated chickens.
Building locations relative to the coop can make a difference in sun hours too.
So if you're closer to the edge of what deathray level your chickens need, it's easier for them to get knocked down into siesta time from isolated events.
Hope that makes sense.