Chickens standing in the rain

[Emrosenagel]

Hello!

My chickens have access to shelter from the rain, but even when it’s pouring they will just stand in the downpour looking miserable. A little rain is fine, but I’m in Florida and the rainy season has only just begun. The other day I had to run out and physically put them in the coops because they were being too stupid to find shelter. I can’t do that all summer, any ideas how I can encourage them to hide out from rain? My first flock never had this issue

 

[paradisepentacoop]

Mine prefer to roost in a spot that isn't covered and I live in the rainy part of the Island of Hawaii... So far they appear fine. I am not a fan of knowing they are uncovered, but they always go back to that roost.

However, I am going to creep on your thread to see if there is anything I can do, apart from roof that part of the run!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hello!

My chickens have access to shelter from the rain, but even when it’s pouring they will just stand in the downpour looking miserable. A little rain is fine, but I’m in Florida and the rainy season has only just begun. The other day I had to run out and physically put them in the coops because they were being too stupid to find shelter. I can’t do that all summer, any ideas how I can encourage them to hide out from rain? My first flock never had this issue

Some chickens just enjoy the rain. I raise silkies. It's raining right now and they're all out in it.

We have a lot of cover here, but they don't use it.

If it's going to be a really bad day with lots of wind and rain, storms, or in the winter with blizzards, I don't let them out in the yard. We have a covered pen off the coop we can let them go into but that's as far as I let them go in really bad conditions.
Here's a few of mine a couple of years ago. They get so dirty, but somehow they manage to look all beautiful the next day.

 

[A Swede in France]

Some of mine detest rain, some will stay out and get soaked despite having multiple places to shelter I only really worry when it's also cold, and I do put them in at night (I have two who love roosting in the uncovered run).

 

[aart]

First time I had 'soaked' chickens I stuck my hand under the feather and they were dry next to the skin. Silkies probably won't have this advantage. Now I don't worry about it, some take shelter, others do not.

 

[Emrosenagel]

Well, thanks for all the responses! I’m not so worried about it now they just look so miserable with their tails down

 

[FrostRanger]

In this heat the rain probably just feels good

 

[Debbie292d]

First time I had 'soaked' chickens I stuck my hand under the feather and they were dry next to the skin. Silkies probably won't have this advantage. Now I don't worry about it, some take shelter, others do not.

I didn't check, but after 8 years of them being out in just about everything, and I have never had a sick chicken, I have to figure they aren't as dense or vulnerable as I used to think. I let them out within reason.

Here, the newer ones are out in 20°F, and the older ones stay by the coop. In the coldest months, the coop is heated to 40°F, so when they go back in, they'll thaw the ice off their feathered feet and dry off. None have ever been frostbitten, either, but their little or low-profile combs aren't conducive to it. I keep them in though if it falls much below 20 or if there's a windchill factor.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

We just hit monsoon season about two weeks ago and I find my girls aren’t bothered by it at all. Thunder/lightening, rain, they seem to like it. When it really downpours hard, they get under the pig’s covered deck. I figure they know what’s comfortable or not.

 

[Michele-A-EIE]

First time I had 'soaked' chickens I stuck my hand under the feather and they were dry next to the skin. Silkies probably won't have this advantage. Now I don't worry about it, some take shelter, others do not.

I am glad to read this post. I was going to ask the same question and I too am in Florida. My chicks are just chilling in the rain and not going inside. I too feel better knowing that they are okay, and likely dry.