Worried 2 of my girls are gonna get sick from standing in the rain.

[Teresaann24]

I have 2 hens who LOVE to stand in the rain. For the past 2 days thats all it has done here is rain. Been in the 50's through the day and in the upper 40's at night. I am worried they are gonna get sick. They will just stand there in the pouring rain eating and scratching for food. Pay not mind to the down pours. I mean lastnight when I made them go in they was soaked. I am worried they are possibly gonna get sick. Can I add some Antibotics to their water to help incase they get a chill??

 

[gritsar]

Teresaann,
Are your chickens naturally acclimated to the temps. or do you heat your coop?
I wouldn't worry if I was you. It just finished stopped raining after raining for four straight days here. Temps. were mostly 40s and 50s. My chickens played in it every day, just like they did when we had ice storms last month.
No one is the worse for wear.
Today they are enjoying 70 degrees and SUNSHINE at last!

 

[Teresaann24]

No not heated coop, they are use to the cold temps. They are silkies, I am just a worry wart when it comes to my chickies.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I used to be too. Then the longer I had the little vultures the more resilent I saw they were.
During the first ice storm of the year I swore I wasn't going to let them out. Then I looked out the front window and saw tiny little finches playing in it. I figured if they could, then my 8 lb. hens could as well. So far so good.

 

[Chickenmaven]

I would keep an eye on Silkies in temps below 40F. Otherwise, they will not do themselves harm. Here in Michigan, we had a very cool summer last year. Some of my girls were quite young & amazed me with what they would tolerate. Then we transitioned into a terrible, seemingly unending winter and my hens were out in snow & sleet.
Doan't worry so much. Chicks are tough!

 

[Alley]

No fear! I live where it rains as much as 35 inches a year and both of my girls stand in the rain on a daily basis and have never gotten sick from it! In fact, it's raining right now and they are out scratching in the dirt!