Chick99 Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Hello Do chickens mind the rain? Or should I say, should I give them better shelter? It is raining big-time here and all my girls are looking a bit damp. Their house is on legs and they are all underneath it sheltering from the rain but some of their bums stick out and they are getting wet. Their pop hole is open but they don't seem to want to go in, is this normal? I feel really sorry for them and am thinking maybe I can make some sort of shelter from some plastic sheeting. What does everyone think? And, yesterday I got my first egg from my girls. I held it up and showed the others chickens and told them I was very proud of them and more eggs were welcome. They looked to be listening! Hee hee. I hope no one saw me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 They'd welcome a bit of shelter - most people have clear tarps or shower curtains over their runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I'd echo Claret. I use a clear tarp from http://www.tarpaflex.co.uk/acatalog/glass-clear-pvc-tarpaulins.html They are fairly cheap and come in a bewildering array of sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Two of mine really don't like it and one doesn't seem to notice! They have shelter almost all along the run when it's rainy and they sit there looking really huffy until it stops!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairygothmother Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 yes my new girls looked extremely umpy yesterday. Why don't they just go in the cube lol fairygothmother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Ooooh those clear tarps are great - just what we were looking for. We have a normal tarp over half our run at the moment, but it's a bit ugly and makes it a bit dark. Thanks for that link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 My next door neighbour made me a cover for our run made from umbrella material and we also have the omlet cover which came wih the cube, so about two thirds of the run is under cover and nice and dry. Why then, are my birdies getting wet trying to shelter under a tree? Should i try and shoo them into the run or leave them. I do feel quilty sat in the dry whilst they are out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick99 Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 Thanks for the replies. The clear plastic idea sounds good, the only problem for me is they have their house with electric fencing around them so I have nothing to put the plastic on, I would have to make some sort of frame and I have no idea what to use! I could just nail it (plastic sheet) to the roof and then the other end could be pegged down to make a tent style shelter but I only have blue plastic at the moment. Not sure if they would be scared of that (being new and just getting used to the house and run etc). Its nearly bedtime for them so maybe I will see how tomorrow is and plan something tomorrow. I could go out and buy something like a kennel or something !! When will this rain stop? Its horrid and Sandie Foster, I feel guilty too. I thought about putting them in the garage at one point, my other half wasn't pleased as his classic car is in there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 hee hee chick99, my imagination is working overtime, seeing a beautiful classic car being driven be a flock of chickens with shades and scarves flying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Chick99 - you could always put your other half's car outside in the rain and the chickens in the garage. Sounds reasonable to me.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I dont see any problem with that either dame egna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaches Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I'm glad you asked this question, because it was just what I was wondering about too, and wasn't sure how waterproof hens are. Also as mine are ex-batts I was thinking they may not know what rain is We've made them a little run (covered) and I've left them in there looking a bit grumpy and wanting to get out into the garden. I agree - why don't they get into the hen house??? Fiona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrambledhead Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 I was worried about my ex bats when they were a bit oven ready but now they're all feathery again I let them out in the rain, they have a covered run but seem happy in the rain and I've seen them having a good shake like a dog and they dried off very quickly in yesterday's down pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 - why don't they get into the hen house??? Fiona Because they are bird brained Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Mine have just gone to bed all wet and bedraggled! Hope they'll be ok. Will give them some nice mash with some poultry spice tommoro, hopefully that will ward off any snuffles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Some of my girls are stupid too and potter about in the pouring rain - I just shut them in the run to keep them dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I have a cube, but when its rainy and windy the rain blows sideways, so while I was looking in the garage I found our windbreak it fits perfectly around all 3 sides of the cube so they have complete shelter underneath.........its looks proper seasidey too!! I use the omlet rain cover for the rest of the run and when its really bad weather they get a old shower curtain pegged on too!! Must admit it looks a bit of a mish mash during the wetter weather but as long as my girls are sheltered who cares!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3hens2cats Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Hi, I too was wondering about this. My girls free range so the last thing they want to do is go back into is the run They tend to shelter under the trampoline, or not to be that bothered. I was thinking of getting the run shelter are they any good? Like previous poster said, they do shake themselves off and just seem to tolerate it to an extent. Naomi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibby69 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Mine have a sheltered run, and 3 other sheltered areas but they choose to go out in the rain. I'm not sure how wise it is to let them but they really hate being stuck in and whilst some of them will stay in the shelter during the worst of bad weather, others will just potter around the garden looking half drowned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick99 Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 Sorry I didn't back to you all. I did mention moving the car out and the chickens in to the garage but he looked at me as if I just told him I was giving away his first born. He was not happy and the chickens got called some horrid names. They went to bed (chickens not the car or the other half) a bit earlier last night and I gave them a little more corn than normal to warm them up. One of the girls had her tail so low it was nearly on the floor. I couldn't sleep because the rain was so loud and I felt guilty (I have sheep too and they were out in the horrid night) but came up with an idea for a shelter for the girls so I will head out in a bit and see what I can do. I have noticed that some of the poo in their house looked a bit loose, do you think its stress or just payback for being out in the rain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
