Severe Storms and Chickens

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi All,

We had some severe storms expected for our area tonight. About 30 minutes before
it got here I put the chickens in the coop and locked them up for the night. They normally
go to bed at about 5pm I put them in at around 430pm. Large hail was expected and strong
winds so I did not want them to get hurt in the storms.

My question is, does anyone else do this? Did I do the right thing or should I have just let them stay out.

Another side note, I really did not want to have to go and lock the chickens up in the pouring rain
and hail so I did it before it came.

Just wondering what others do when severe weather is in the forecast.

Thanks

 

[chicmom]

I would do the same thing you did. If it's raining in the morning, when I normally let them out, and it's raining very very hard, I don't let them out. As long as they have food and water, they're fine.

 

[terrilhb]

If the storms are severe my chickens that freerange during the day get put up. But the ones that have runs attached to their coops I let them go in if they want to.

 

[trailchick]

Hey, mine wont go out on their own if there is a big storm, so Yes, you did the right thing!!!!! You know they dont like getting wet on the feathers, but they will tromp thru wet ground, so I wait until the rain/hail/snow stops to let them out......

I will also leave the coop door open so they have a choice........

 

[Katydid2011]

I think you did the right thing. We had severe weather here today - rain and wind - and I opened the coop doors to the runs on all three hen houses but the chickens stayed inside or under the covered portion of their runs all day, except for a brief period of clearing in which I opened the doors to the great outdoors and let them free-range. Awhile ago the wind really picked up and I ran out to herd the chickens in and lock the coops early but they were all already snug and safe inside, all 50+ of them!

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Okay, I am glad that I did the right thing, I hated to lock them up before they would on their own but I figured
that with the severe storms coming it was the best thing to do. They were a little mad at me but they will just have
to be mad.

Thanks again. I appreciate your input, I feel a little better.

 

[Kay-SCL]

I am laughing now. Thanks guys. I live in Florida and Big storms are really a normal thing. We just had a doozy. I let my girls free range from when ever I get up to just before dark. If I go out early they look at me like ...seriously? At any rate I was just curious with this storm, usually they just walk around in it, so I went out, yes in the middle of the storm, to see if they went in the coop...nope they were on my front porch (big open and roof). Silly girls. When it went down to a sprinkle they were right back out enjoying the bugs. My young girls (3 months ish) have a coop attached to their run and they were outside in it. They act like ducks.

 

[mviera101]

Hi All,

We had some severe storms expected for our area tonight. About 30 minutes before
it got here I put the chickens in the coop and locked them up for the night. They normally
go to bed at about 5pm I put them in at around 430pm. Large hail was expected and strong
winds so I did not want them to get hurt in the storms.

My question is, does anyone else do this? Did I do the right thing or should I have just let them stay out.

Another side note, I really did not want to have to go and lock the chickens up in the pouring rain
and hail so I did it before it came.

Just wondering what others do when severe weather is in the forecast.

Thanks

I think that locking them in where you know they will be safe is the best thing. They'll weather the storm and feel safe and you didn't have to shlep out in the rain..

 

[Kay-SCL]

I have to share. Told you my chickens were ducks at heart. They have a really hard worked on coop that is nice and dry and this is their preference. I love it! I don’t know if you can tell but it is still raining and they look like drowned rats. Chickens are smart right?

 

[Jeanw]

In severe weather, bad snow, or cold rain I shut mine up in the coop with food and water. Normal spring or summer rains they usually don’t mind being out in the middle of it.