Wet chickens, cold weather

[AinaWGSD]

Four of my chickens got stuck outside during the downpour tonight and were soaked to the skin. We've moved them into the coop with the rest of the flock (20 total, so 4 wet and 16 dry) but is it enough or do we need to towel them off before the temperature plummets at 3am.

 

[thecatumbrella]

How cold is it getting?
If they were mine, I'd probably blow dry them (but I tend to fuss over my birds).

 

[AinaWGSD]

It's 37°F right now, but it will dip below freezing around 1am.

 

[PaigeWells]

I’d say it depends on how big your coop is, and how much they snuggle with the dry ones. A little below freezing, in a smaller dry coop, snuggled, probably fine. Large breezy coop, not snuggled, not so good. It’s a pain to dry them but you are the only one who can decide… any option for an overnight in a warmer spot (dog crate in a guest bath or laundry room?). Good luck!

 

[thecatumbrella]

It's 37°F right now, but it will dip below freezing around 1am.

I would bring them inside if you didn't get a chance to dry them. Being soaked to the skin in sub-freezing temps does not sound like a good time.

 

[AinaWGSD]

With 16 other (dry) chickens to help keep them warm we chose to leave them be to settle in for the night. I was nervous about it, second guessing if it was the right decision, but they all came out dry and fluffy again this morning.

 

[thecatumbrella]

With 16 other (dry) chickens to help keep them warm we chose to leave them be to settle in for the night. I was nervous about it, second guessing if it was the right decision, but they all came out dry and fluffy again this morning.

I'm so glad!