JSJLockwood Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hi there, We are new to keeping chickens, and have had our 4 gorgeous hybrid layers for 6 weeks now. I read that chickens aren't meant to like the rain, and so I put a tarpaulin over half of their run. Oddly, when we let them out to free range, they seem to love the rain, and quite happily get soaking wet, and then find a bush to sit under. Is this normal? Might they catch colds? Any help would be great. JSJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Mine love playing out in the rain. It doesn't seem to harm them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hi there, welcome to the forum. The day I got my girls the rain was torrential and they all just sat out in it. I was really panicking, but asked on here just as you have done. It seems alot of us have girls who enjoy sitting in the rain, and enjoy ignoring all the hard work and effort we put in to constructing shelters to keep them dry . My girls only take shelter once the are drenched and then it is un der a bush or tree, not under anything I have built. They haven't caught colds from it yet though. They are stubborn little madams and I think they just do their own thing and leave us to worry . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSJLockwood Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hi there, welcome to the forum. The day I got my girls the rain was torrential and they all just sat out in it. I was really panicking, but asked on here just as you have done. It seems alot of us have girls who enjoy sitting in the rain, and enjoy ignoring all the hard work and effort we put in to constructing shelters to keep them dry . My girls only take shelter once the are drenched and then it is un der a bush or tree, not under anything I have built. They haven't caught colds from it yet though. They are stubborn little madams and I think they just do their own thing and leave us to worry . Thanks for that - I shall stop worrying and just laugh at them when they look all bedraggled and wet. I suppose they must know what is best for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Thanks for that - I shall stop worrying and just laugh at them when they look all bedraggled and wet. I suppose they must know what is best for them? I think mine just do it so they can shake themselves like dogs when I try to get close for a cuddle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Mine love it!! They seem to love seeing who can get the muddiest, and then who can get me the muddiest!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 some chickens are more hardy than others - our bluebell is always out when its raining and the other 2 chickens sometimes follow, but the bantams are wimps and always stay in. it depends on the breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 ours dont seem to mind some rain....they dislike the wind though....and if it gets too wet, retreat under the taup.... we have had a problem with sneezing though, but all seems well now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
