Will the rain kill my chickens??

[SillyKlucker]

So I’ve always heard that chickens can drown in the rain. If my run has a roof but the sides are open should I worry about that? if I left the door to my coop open would they come out of the rain (into the run or coop)?

 

[Tre3hugger]

They should be absolutely fine. I have an uncovered run and often my girls are out enjoying the rain. Other times they hang out under their coop when it is raining. Either way, no drowning. They have yet to return to inside their coop due to inclement weather, and they have been out during some real thunderstorms!

It is somewhat dangerous for a young bird(not fully feathered) to get wet then cold. Other than that and a flood situation, rain holds no danger for chickens that I can think of.

 

[RobertaD1]

I have never had trouble with my chickens in the rain. Mind you, they are kind of prissy, and tend to head indoors when it starts, but I have never had one drown in the 8 yrs of having them. They will head for shelter if the rain is heavy... be it coop, bush, or a porch.
Mind you, they may drown if they stick their head in a puddle and forget to pull it out... but then, you have a bigger problem then the old wives tail.
I hear more often of chicks drowning in a waterer. Rain is safe.

 

[SillyKlucker]

Thanks so much! That puts my mind at ease.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If rain could kill chickens there'd be no chickens in the entire Pacific NW...

I even feel comfortable brooding chicks outside in the rain.

 

[neo71665]

My grandmother raised chickens free range as long as I can remember. She had a coop but most of her birds roosted in the trees around the house. The rain never was an issue.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I agree..our flock loves the rain and seem to prefer to be out in it. They hang under the coop occasionally but mostly stay under the eves of the house..they are 24 inches wide. I built a "chunnel"(chicken tunnel) that is 24" x 24" and covered with camouflage netting they really like hanging out in there rain or shine.

 

[aart]

So I’ve always heard that chickens can drown in the rain.

I think that's an 'old wives tale', but about turkeys.

Might want to protect your big vent/window there to keep rain from getting the inside of coop wet. The wing is cute, is it hinged? Top hinges would be good.

 

[SillyKlucker]

I think that's an 'old wives tale', but about turkeys.

Might want to protect your big vent/window there to keep rain from getting the inside of coop wet. The wing is cute, is it hinged? Top hinges would be good.

They are hinged. I close them up at night but I do think I’m going to rework them to protect from rain and still be left open for the hot months. Their coop is under a huge tree in our yard which give lots of coverage from rain so that helps some. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I may have to revise my statement about our flock liking the rain...they are not liking the rain or possibly the wind from HURRICANE HANNA so much lol..they are real troopers and doing well in the high winds and squalls of rain...however no EGG SONGS so far today.