Stupid question about chicken intelligence. HELP

[Chickiemom25]

ok I am in So California and we rarely get rain let alone thunderstorms. Today we are getting alot of rumbling and expect intermittent showers. I have 3 urban backyard girls who I let out in the yard every evening for a few hours and the last few days have been letting them out all day. I am afraid they might try to fly or escape with the thunder. Do you think they will be ok in the yard? Are they smart enough to go back to the coop when the rain starts? Sometimes they sleep in the coop but usually at 18 weeks they still huddle in the run.

 

[7L Farm]

I usually lock mine up in the coop if its gonna be a storm. If its just rain I let them decide. I have alot of places they can hunker down .

 

[gritsar]

Give them the choice of going in or staying out. Rain and even a thunderstorm won't hurt them, but they should have the option.

 

[Imp]

I only lock up in high winds. Rain won't hurt them. If you are expecting prolonged thunder and lightening over your house, you may want to lock them in.

Imp- We get very little T & L here.

 

[shober]

I'm in So. Ca. too and all mine were in the coop last night when we had thunder and lightning. I'm in the San Gabriel valley and they pretty much do what they like. Some like to be in, some like to be out. I think its reall a personal preference! On the chickens part that is!!

 

[Chickiemom25]

great I will let them back out.. I just dont want to have to ask the neighbors if my girls have flown the coop

 

[centrarchid]

I make no confinement adjustments in respect to growing season weather. All that is done ensure adequate cover is available from heavy wind. Hail is only thing I think confinement will work for.