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???

 

[HannahChickens99]

I would say keep them in the coop/enclosed run if you have one when you are prepared for inclement weather!

 

[CluckerFamily]

When rain is coming, I have to lock them in the run/coop area otherwise they would be outside. Being wet can cause issues.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[Andresm]

For my hens it is their first day of rain, they have only been with me for 5 days, and they have come out of their chicken coop, but they have been scared when the water has fallen on them. They have taken refuge under the coop and are in anticipation of what happens, but it does not seem that they are uncomfortable.

 

[RLockhart68]

I've been a bit concerned about the chickens and the weather we have been having (warm and dry and beautiful one day, cold and rainy and damp the next) They don't seem to care. I do let them have free access to the coop so that they can decide what they want to do. I have a single heat lamp mounted securely to the top/roof of it just to help it stay dryer. The coop is about 12L x 8W x 8H.

 

[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