Wet chickens in the rain!

[lysmandor]

When I was reading about chickens, I got the impression that chickens wouldn't like inclement weather... but clearly mine missed the memo. It was thunderstorming and 50 degrees and windy out today, but they insisted on free ranging all day. When I closed them up tonight they were all soaking wet. I really get the impression that the flock leader is the instigator - she's a SS hen and absolutely fearless. Everyone else seems to want to stay in their nice covered run... but out she goes into the rain, and everyone follows her.

Winter is fast approaching... do you think they'll be bright enough to not get soaked before a night below freezing? Or do I need to make sure I don't have chicken popsicles???

 

[Aapomp831]

What? They are chickens.... mine free range all day when it rains because they eat up the bugs. Their feathers are partially waterproof, and it’s fine for them to be wet. They will be perfectly fine in the winter time.... mine stay out all day long and go in at night and I’ve never had an issue. They are barnyard animals.... they’re a lot hardier than people give them credit for. Chickens survived long before humans started caring for them and building them coops.

 

[Jenjens]

You should always let them decide. Locking them in can cause stress and possibly bullying if they want to be outside. It was 35 degrees today and it was raining and all were outside. You should not assume what is best for them because they know what is best for them. Sometimes it's 80 degrees and raining and they decide to go in the coop. Sometimes they will go outsidw. Let them make their own decisions.

I have been there and make decisions for them thinking it was for the best, when it actually wasnt. Like my first year it was raining real hard, and they stayed in their coop, then one came out and a few followed and found worms!.they were so excited and then we're all on a hunt for worms and had a ball!

Leave it up to them.

 

[countryladyNH]

LOL, ours will have NONE of rain!! If they are let out, they immediately go up on our porch for a hen party!! They will stay there until we let them back in the run.

 

[Sammi_0411]

My BO brownie stayed out in rain got drenched then sulked about it all day as u can see by her face first pic what she normally look like lol 2nd pic is her wet and sulking

 

[rosemarythyme]

I let mine choose whether they want to be wet or not, however I also do open up their brooder to provide some shelter in the run from the rain. If your run is partially roofed, or you have large furniture like a patio table in there, that will provide similar protection, without them having to go inside the coop.

 

[Mmanist]

My beautiful silkie, decided it was bath time yesterday. It was low 50s with steady rain. Most of the silkies was soaked. But they dry by the time they was locked in for the night! Lol

 

[Chickassan]

Chickens are lunatics surely you've suspected as much right?


FYI Your speckled sussex cannot be labeled as soggy day going out anyway instigator.
Insanity is autonomous no instigation needed
They choose being soaked to the bone,it confounds us in turn pleasing them.
We are adorable when we are confused apparently.



.

 

[DaisyG2317]

Mine like to be inside the house enjoying scratching around on the floor when it's a beautiful warm 75 degrees out, but raining sideways and cold? Gotta go outside and look for slugs. Weirdos.

 

[3KillerBs]

You should always let them decide. Locking them in can cause stress and possibly bullying if they want to be outside. It was 35 degrees today and it was raining and all were outside. You should not assume what is best for them because they know what is best for them. Sometimes it's 80 degrees and raining and they decide to go in the coop. Sometimes they will go outsidw. Let them make their own decisions.

With possible exceptions for the ornamental breeds who have been bred for feathers that lack the normal protection qualities of standard feathering, I figure that chickens know how to be chickens better than I know how to be a chicken.

I give them free access to the coop and pen/run.

I give them free access to sun, shade, open area (or roofed only with wire), and rain-proof cover.

I give them shelter from the wind and access to the breeze.

They choose what they like -- which may not be the same thing today as it was yesterday or will be tomorrow.