Wet feathers at night

[JessRyan]

It has been drizzling/raining here for the past 2 days. I have a small coop and allow my girls to free range all day...even in the weather. They can go into the coop at any time to get out of the weather, but at this point they have chosen to be out in the rain. My concern is when they go into the coop at night their feathers are still a bit damp. It's getting down into the mid 40 degree (F) to upper 30's at night.

Is this too cold for them? Are damp feathers a danger to their health? Should I find a way to dry them off? How would I even do that?

 

[kuulgrl]

Same thing happening here.

I haven't done anything for them. You can't take my advice though. I've never owned chickens till a month ago, so I'm too new to know. Lol

I'd like to see others answers. ;-)

 

[CAjerseychick]

It rained all day and will for the next two I hear,,, chickens out most of the day, soaked.... they went in wet and probably will be fine... I think there is a leak in the middle part of their coop cause there is a wet spot that misses the roosts and nest boxes.....will get a tarp over tommorrow.... I just got back last night and presumeabley they went to bed wet last night too--
this is our second year, and winter with these hens, never have worried about it...
The main thing I do is feed a "hot" feed-- high protein gamebird starter to keep them fed up and warm.... they free range about on 2 acres as well....

 

[bobbi-j]

Are they getting soaked to the skin, or is it just on the surface? They can repel some water. I would say that as long as they're out of the wind, they should be fine. Those feathers do have a good insulating quality.

 

[JessRyan]

Thanks for the replies...

I think it is just surface moisture...mostly just their tail feathers. They are dry underneath. The girls huddle together and it is a pretty small coop so I think they keep each other fairly warm. I've been trying to help insulate with straw & aspen shavings too.

I'm going to talk with "the gurus" at my local ranch store about their diet for the winter. I've been giving them Organic Layena pellets but I wonder if they might need a supplement in the winter. I want to keep them organic...hoping there is a option for that!

Thanks again! Gives me some peace of mind.

 

[donrae]

They'll be fine. I had a trio that roosted in some trees for 2 years, even during hard PNW rainstorms. I just culled the rooster at 4 years and the 2 hens are still some of my more dependable layers.