New from Oregon ~ Chickens & Rain

[FlowerFarmer]

My five one-month-olds are about to transition outside! Yay!
Although their coop and enclosure is protected under a large cedar, they will be out roaming the yard quite a bit, and I was wondering how chicken feel about being out in the rain. They will be able to find cover. Being out in the rain is inevitable with living in Oregon

Any thoughts?

 

[chickened]

They will do fine. I live on the wet side and they always get out of the rain ifpossible. And welcome
Quote:

 

[aprhardy]

Ever heard that expression "madder than a wet hen"?

They don't care for it (least mine don't) and will beg, borrow, steal or kill to get out of the rain. Ok, maybe not kill, but they do prefer a way to get out of the rain even if it involves hiding under a vehicle. We had a recent sudden storm from no where, and caught our chickens out in the rain, I finally found them hiding under my bf's truck safe from the rain.

 

[aprhardy]

Ohhh and

 

[Pinky]

Quote:
My chickens just stand there in the pouring rain. who knows whats going through their heads

 

[aprhardy]

My chickens just stand there in the pouring rain. who knows whats going through their heads

That is too funny! Maybe my girls are too prissy for their own good, but then again the roo's are the same way. They'll find any nook and cranny to hide in if the rain comes and they can't make it back to their coop. You'd think instead they'd just not stray that far from their coop, but then again they are chickens.​

 

[donrae]

I'm on the wet side of Or also. When it rains, they frequently huddle along the eves of the barn or on an old play structure they've commandeered. But they do forage in the rain, or move from one are to another. If it's a huge downpour they run for cover, but just a regular rain doesn't seem to bother them. They NEVER go back in the coop for shelter (I free range 24/7). They also drink from the puddles, which freaks some folks here out. We have standing water much of the year, everyone drinks from it and no one gets sick. Welcome to the chicken world!

Just beware, wet chicken poo is the slipperiest substance known to man! Beware~~

 

[Nigellas]

Most of mine hate it, a few don't seem to mind. I had a particularly un-smart Cochin who used to stand in the middle of my yard during a downpour, looking confused at what was happening. I always had to run out and move her to shelter. lol

 

[alhanse77]

Mine stand in the rain, too. Or the snow. But they have access to multiple covered areas so I figure when they are sick of being wet they will seek shelter. Kind of like kids going out in the snow with no coat on--they will come in when they are cold.