Why do chickens stop drinking after it rains?

[HuskerHens18]

This is simply a curious question.

This summer it's been super hot, 105° even after the sun is down, yet we've gotten lots of rain (thankfully).

I have noticed, that the day AFTER it rains, my chickens don't drink anything. There's no puddles in their run so I know they aren't drinking off the ground.

It rained yesterday, but today was still 90°F. I was sweating up a storm, and I expected my birds to feel the same, yet when I got them cold water nobody cared. I went and checked tonight and it's still untouched.

This has happened probably a dozen times this year.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

I have no idea, I’ve never heard of them doing that, and as for as I know, they aren’t able to absorb water from a rainstorm through their skin, lol!

 

[aart]

Mine drink less when it rains too, I know for sure as I top off the waterer every day to kind of track consumption, there's not a lot of puddles but a few places it can gather if only for a short time. One thing that amuses me is watching them sip the drops of rain that cling to the mesh wall of the run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

One thing that amuses me is watching them sip the drops of rain that cling to the mesh wall of the run.

Yup if mine aren't drinking out of a puddle, then they're drinking the droplets off the run fence. These sources of water are obviously much more desirable to a chicken than a clean, newly filled waterer.

 

[HuskerHens18]

That's weird, I never got notifications about this thread. Sorry for not responding!! Glad to see I'm not the only one. We got more rain and it did form puddles this time which apparently tastes better than fresh, clean water I give them. My dog does the same thing. I guess mud tastes better, I wouldn't know as I dont find ground liquid appetizing.