How to freerange chicks when it rains?

[hokankai]

My girls are 6 weeks old and LOVE to run around our backyard. It's been such great weather, warm and dry, but today it decided to rain. How should I give the chicks time out of the brooder when the ground is wet and it's drizzly outside? I tried setting up a tarp but it hasn't worked out too well with our backyard setup.

Any ideas from you Pacific Northwesterners? I feel terrible not letting them out today since they didn't get time out yesterday and won't this weekend...

 

[slackwater]

As long as they are feathered, I would put them out anyway. Mine go out during the summer, rain or shine, after 4 weeks or so.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Agreed. My chicks were out in a bad but brief thunderstorm the other day. They learned real quick how to find shelter.

 

[Barred Rocks forever]

my birds love the rain

 

[hokankai]

ok great! i was worried they might get chilled or something because it's only in the 60s right now, but i think i'll stick them outside anyway. they are getting really antsy!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have my youngest chicks (4 weeks old) outside in the 50 degree mornings. I let them out around 7 or 8 in the morning. I just leave the heat lamps on until it feels warmer. They come and go from their coops as they wish to warm up. The lights are on all night, though.

They LOVE to get outside in the cool morning air to get bugs and grass. Then they go back inside the coop, do a little huddle, and come back out. On and on.

 

[sharol]

My girls were in their run/coop last week during a quick (but loud) thunderstorm when I was away. When I got back, by Welsummer hopped up on my knee and gave me a really good talking to about not warning them. However, they had apparently gone in the coop because they were all dry.

Quote:
Agreed. My chicks were out in a bad but brief thunderstorm the other day. They learned real quick how to find shelter.

 

[Qi Chicken]

You don't really call that rain do you?!?!?! They LOVE drizzly!

 

[hokankai]

You don't really call that rain do you?!?!?! They LOVE drizzly!

Haha yeah not really. I was more wondering whether or not to worry about them getting chilled from the wet grass. They ended up loving it, but loved it more once the sun finally melted the overcast clouds

 

[3chimama]

Mine-various ages- go out in the rain and are just fine. They can just go back in if they want...