Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Goldie]

Hi all -

 

Just wondering if my girls are a little on the stupid-side!? They have plenty of shelter but are happy to sit out in the pouring rain getting thoroughly wet through! Anyone else's sit out whilst it's raining?

 

I'm kind of asking because Whitey was a little poorly this morning, not her usual self and stayed inside (before the heavens opened I should add). I ushered her out after a few hours but she was standing in a sort of penguin stance once it started raining). Immediately I thought of peritonitis, but then I saw Speckledy standing in the same way. Then it dawned on me they are letting the rain run off their backs! What silly girls.

 

Is it bad for them to get soaked?? Do any of your stand out in a downpour?

[chuckmum6]

No, in a down pour they run for shelter, in lighter rain there are a few non-feathered footed hens out. Now they are housed in a WIR, but I do let them out from time to time, today they stayed out under the giant leylandi. I would keep a close eye on your girls, if they are poorly getting wet won't help them.

[Patricia W]

Some seem to be slow learners. I have Polands and have to be careful that they have somewhere to shelter because they have thinner skulls than other breeds and can get a chill.

 

As long as they can get shelter they should be ok.

[merlina]

Mine (various hybrids) don't seem to understand concepts of 'rain' and 'getting wet'.

They have numerous places to shelter, but unless it's absolutely pouring down dramatically, they carry on in their own sweet way completely impervious.

They look very bedraggled and sorry for themselves, but I've stopped worrying about them being wet

(I used to go out in a rain cape and try and shoo them somewhere dry - this just met with protests about the ridiculous green flapping woman and threats to fly over a fence to get some peace! )

[redsunset]

Ditto same as merlina. Here where I live the rain can be bad in the winter months but the chooks just get on with it unless it's VERY bad (sideways rain!) then they scuttle under evergreen bushes and trees briefly......or they can go to one of the hen houses? I have quit worrying on that front as they will do what they are comfortable with...

[jacquiefrost]

mine dont seem to mind the rain, and only take shelter under bushes if it is a downpour. I thought they would run for the coop when the heavens opened (how wrong could i be) they refuse to return to the coop unless it is time for bed or vast quantities of mealworms are involved.

[charly1979]

I also have a bunch that seem to love to run around in the rain, on the rare occasion they will go for shelter but a few still like to have their feathery backsides hanging out in the rain !

 

Now if we get a slight bit of snow then nothing will coax them out !

[merlina]

heh snow is indeed a different matter.

I will never forget my first winter with my first 3 chooks.

I let them out of the run (as ever they were practically throwing themselves at the doors to be let out) and they stopped and looked around mortified. Who knew hens had such expressive faces

They then ran under a bench (the one bit of ground where a tiny bit of grass could be seen through the snow) and cowered under there in a massive sulk for about an hour.

Two of the braver ones then hopped on to the back on the seat and from that vantage point proceeded to remonstrate loudly with the weather for a long long time

[redsunset]

Oh crumbs, I dread if we get snow up here this winter with 32 chooks!! Rain has been so heavy and prolonged this last two weeks it's been depressing and am well used to the penguin stance so all my chooks have to adapt to a Hebridean winter which is not nice, but do they stay outside? Yup, their choice though have bushes etc. Have not had any snow for two years so ummm, will deal with that one when it happens....yikes. You get used to their language, as loud boks at lunchtime means where is the corn/bread crumbles, soft boks at your feet mean (what are you digging up for us?... ) Snow may mean a new language of chicken swears, time will tell??