Sudden downpour on free rangers

[mstricer]

Why are chickens so flippen dumb when it comes to sudden downpours. My orps where out free ranging and it suddenly started raining hard. So I go out there trying to show them the way home, then they all go behind open gate with me trying to get them to go in (picture the pouring rain,major wind and crazy woman with umbrella running after chickens) After 15 mins I finally got them. Then I went to check on spitzhaubens and favs. And them too where running around the coop like they were new there or something. I gave up on them when they ran into the tickets and figured that they know where their house is, I really hope my neighbors weren't watching and laughing at me.

 

[Casey3043]

I've done the same thing---gone out there and gotten soaked trying to get the nitwits to go in under the roof. I figure if they don't know enough to come in out of the rain, well......I can't help them. It seems that they do learn eventually, though---my older hens do go in under the roof of the run when it starts to rain.

What's worse is when you know a thunderstorm is coming and you want them to go in early. They run off in all directions and then stand staring at you like you're the one who's dumb---expecting them to go in early---Hah!

Why are you standing there waving that broom and looking at the sky??

 

[mstricer]

Yep I went out and The Faverolles were smart and found shelter under an old honeysuckle vine and vew, The roo though didnt fair wel hes soak be they still didnt go back the sun came out and they were back in business again looking for bugs. Go figure

 

[elmo]

If they aren't used to you with an umbrella, that's what probably spooked them. I went to check on my chickens yesterday wearing a sun hat, and they reacted to me like I was a serial killer from some horror movie. Took off the hat, and they recognized me again.