Rain and cool weather

[Erin80]

My girls are out in the rain during the day, despite having their coop to go in if they’d like. They get really wet, and with the cold nights now, I feel bad and worried for them going to bed wet like that....more my two little silkie girls than my others. I’d feel awful if they’re sitting on their roost freezing their butts off.
Our coop is well ventilated but is draft free.

 

[Tlmcq]

It has been cold and rainy here too and mine do the same thing... doesn't seem to bother them and next morning they come right back out rain or not...they look awfully crazy with their bad hair days as of lately...lol

 

[chickens really]

My Run is covered by a tarp year around...Wet cold Chickens can equal sick Chickens...Not sure of your set up..Silkies and water don't mix...

 

[aart]

If you go in after dark while they are roosting and stick your hand under those wet feathers right next to the skin, you will feel that they are dry and warm underneath.
That probably doesn't count for silkies tho, as they don't have the hard water resistant feathers that most other breeds have...so I guess you have to keep them out of the rain, don't know for sure as I've never had that breed. @oldhenlikesdogs has silkies in a cold climate, maybe she can help?

 

[Tlmcq]

I'm interested to see how people work that out also as covered run wouldn't even keep them dry with rain we've had lately, it would have to be mostly enclosed and covered. Mine free range so no run at all. They can go up under my large deck but don't hang there much as not any vegetation grows under there. They go there some for bugs but not to get outta the rain. I would hate to have to coop them up for days at a time cuz it's raining, but also don't want them to be harmed due to water.

 

[aart]

I'm interested to see how people work that out also as covered run wouldn't even keep them dry with rain we've had lately, it would have to be mostly enclosed and covered. Mine free range so no run at all. They can go up under my large deck but don't hang there much as not any vegetation grows under there. They go there some for bugs but not to get outta the rain. I would hate to have to coop them up for days at a time cuz it's raining, but also don't want them to be harmed due to water.

This is why free ranging does not make up for a too small coop.
They need shelter from the weather.
I imagine your deck lets rain water and snow melt thru to below?
Some folks cover the sides of covered runs to keep rain and especially winter winds/snow out of run.

 

[Tlmcq]

This is why free ranging does not make up for a too small coop.
They need shelter from the weather.
I imagine your deck lets rain water and snow melt thru to below?
Some folks cover the sides of covered runs to keep rain and especially winter winds/snow out of run.

No the deck doesn't let any weather thru it's enclosed above. And there coop isn't too small to keep them in. Just doesn't have the grass and such they want to run around looking for bugs and goodies in. The coop they are in is roughly 7.5 ft by 4 ft. Has 3 girls in it. I think they would rather go out due to only one side of coop letting in a good supply of natural light and they wanna be out in daylight/sun. Thinking maybe if I put a light in there they may stay in more...gonna give it a try and see

 

[Scott214]

It has already snowed here but luckily my rooster keeps my girls inside. I'm sorry that yours are going out, but chickens are resilient.

 

[Tlmcq]

Hasn't quite been cold enough to snow yet. I'm not looking forward to it..lol

 

[Scott214]

Oh yeah the weather is so up and down lately... This time of year is so dreadful to me because all I want is to be outside with the girls and now they are stuck inside and so am I, But I'm always making sure they aren't bored. I think someone should make a thread that continues through out the winter on how they make their coop better, how to make the birds happy in winter, how to keep them healthy, and their crazy everyday experiences and ways they try to make things easier.