Rain and chickens

[Hoosiercluck]

My girls have been out all day in the high 30's to 40ish degrees and now it is starting to sprinkle. I went out to put them in and they are happily scratching around and drinking the small rain puddles.
Should I gather them in the coup? and if yes, should I provide a little infrared to warm and dry them before bed. It is about 5pm here.

 

[Birdinhand]

I keep mine under cover and free range them very rarely. in general they don't seem to do so well with moisture, but once in under the cover of their coop I bet they dry off pretty fast. as long as ventilation is good and they can get out of draft, I wouldn't worry about short exposures to rain.

 

[21hens-incharge]

They will go in soon on their own.

I wouldn't worry.
I do not think adding heat is warranted.

Mine often hang out in the rain. Remember they are designed to live outside.

 

[Hoosiercluck]

As always, thank you chicken lovers!!!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Mine like the rain too. I provide them with dry areas in the run. I’m sure they will be fine once they go to roost. They didn’t have any problems the last time it rained and they were out in it. By your username, looks like you are in Indiana as well?

 

[Hoosiercluck]

S2BCM, you are correct! Not looking forward to ugly weather, but you know Indiana.....

 

[SueT]

Mine don't mind rain or snow...They always have choice to go in shelter and often don't want to. I don't think the rain soaks in, it runs off their outer feathers, and they have down underwear....
No you don't need heat to dry them out, either.

 

[mclanea]

It doesn't rain very often here in San Diego, but our chickens seem to enjoy it when it sprinkles. I think the key is having a place for them to get away from it if they want. For a passing shower any discomfort from the rain is overcome by looking for worms and other bugs the rain brings to the surface. But if it's going to rain for a day they'll either hang out in the covered run area or under our patio cover.

 

[jane s chickens]

Under patio, oh poohhhhhh.

 

[RonP]

Often after a hard rain storm I have visited my flock in their coop. Several birds will look like they took a bath, several completely dry. Same breed, individual temperaments. The only thing in common, all seemed happy and well. I see the same situation during any inclement weather…

I don’t coddle them. I give them a choice between a dry well ventilated draft free coop, and the outdoors. They are smart enough to make the decision on their own. If not, well then a natural elimination from the gene pool?

Frankly I have never lost a bird due to inclement weather and poor decisions on their part.