Any idea where that saying came from? I'm curious because I've been watching my hens out in the rain, and they don't seem to be very angry about it.

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My chickens love the rain when I'm not outside. But, when I go out to get the eggs, they all pile into the coop {all are wetter than the ocean, mind}, sit on the roost like they've been crowded in there all day, and whine at me like it's my fault.When I leave, they go back outside and resume packing, happy as larks.![]()
Had a quick look on the internet and came across this:
'"Madder than a wet hen" probably originated in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Supposedly, chickens get angry if they get dumped in water'
I'd be angry too if I was "dumped" in water! One of my chickens doesn't mind the rain (in fact I wrote about this on my blog only today), but most of them prefer to take shelter.
Sometimes, the saying goes "Madder than a setting hen", which makes a ton more sense, if you've ever had a broody!
Sometimes, the saying goes "Madder than a setting hen", which makes a ton more sense, if you've ever had a broody!