Rainy, Cold and Windy- best to leave chickens inside today?

[JoeInPA]

If you'd like to see the details of the coop, here is a thread covering me building it-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-coop-and-run-build.1330958/

 

[MandaH]

I let my girls free range so they go in and out as they like for the weather. Since yours do not have the ability to choose I would simply lock them in for the day

 

[JoeInPA]

It sounds like the general consensus is they would be fine if they were outside, but probably a good idea to keep them in. Everytime I checked on the smaller ones though they obviously wanted out.

So I gave them the opportunity if they wanted to go out. I carried them in the brooder outside to the run and set the brooder inside and took the chicken wire off of the top. Immediately they all flew out. I left the brooder inside for 20 minutes or so, so if they wanted back in they could in the brooder.

I opened the door for the other two and they didn't exactly dart out, but after 3 or 4 minutes they walked out and walked over to the run.

The straw in the run is damp but that's just from the ground being wet. The straw is only wet maybe 6" around the outside edge. They aren't getting rained on and they are contently pecking around. I'll be keeping an eye on them and I'll get a picture here.

 

[woodmort]

Open the pop door and let them decide. Unless, of course, you're afraid they might get mad at you and blame you for the nasty weather.

 

[JoeInPA]

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Lol. Things always get interesting when they get decided by a committee, don't they? Hopefully your coop and run will get reunited soon and all will be well.

The first year I was here, shortly after I got my first flock of all adult hens, a tornado came through. I got great pics of it as it went by about 2 miles away, thankfully doing not much damage except to trees. The hens were totally unconcerned, pecking and scratching away in the wind and torrents of rain, although they weren't crazy about the hail. They ignored my attempts to coop them so I finally left them alone after getting drenched and terrified, and ran to the basement like a sensible person.

 

[JoeInPA]

Lol. Things always get interesting when they get decided by a committee, don't they? Hopefully your coop and run will get reunited soon and all will be well.

The first year I was here, shortly after I got my first flock of all adult hens, a tornado came through. I got great pics of it as it went by about 2 miles away, thankfully doing not much damage except to trees. The hens were totally unconcerned, pecking and scratching away in the wind and torrents of rain, although they weren't crazy about the hail. They ignored my attempts to coop them so I finally left them alone after getting drenched and terrified, and ran to the basement like a sensible person.

Haha, that's pretty funny. They are some pretty odd animals. This weekend is supposed to be really nice so hopefully I can get the coop moved over. I don't think it'll be too difficult as long as I'm not fighting the cold and rain.

 

[JoeInPA]

Lol. I woke them up.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They'll be fine outside but for the time being you can probably put out a cardboard box or dog house for shelter in the run if you feel it's needed.

 

[JoeInPA]

Well the rain has passed. It's still pretty windy and the temperature is holding pretty steady around 45-50°, but they seem content.

I want them to get outside so they can start getting used to the cold and also more used to being around each other. I raised them in separate groups and the younger ones have been around the older two for a while now, but they still stay in their own groups for the most part.