cluck and henry Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Hello, Please can we ask for some advice. we have been told that we should keep chickens away from rain. At the moment our ladies haven't come across too much but it's only a matter of time. They stay in the run and we have a taupalin which covers half in the sun and pulls over the other half for rain. But they don't get much light. Is that okay? At this moment in time, one of our ladies is on the nest. Could this be her first egg? Thanks for all the advice you all have given us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I don't know where you got this information from - I have never heard it before. Unless you have miniature breeds - some Dutch, Japanese, and Jungle rainforest decended breeds. (and not necessarily all of those need to be kept indoors in a steady temperature all year around), chickens generally, including bantams are fine in the rain. Where I live there are hundreds of poultry farms and the chickens are out in all weathers. Mine live in an outdoor uncovered pen with shelters from the rain and snow and sun if they so wish to shelter from it. They love running around in the rain, and stand up to their full height with outstretched wings relishing it. They stay out so long in it when free ranging that the look like drowned rats, but with a shake of their feathers (almost dog like shake) the rain runs off - they are waterproof! See my www link below - they live as natural a life as possible. And chickens on small holdings and farms and other big properties are usually just running around in all weathers totally non plussed. So long as they can find shelter in the Eglu or part of a covered run should they need to they will be fine. In the gallery there are winter photos of chickens in deep snow. Hope this puts your mind at rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Dilly is right. Whoever told you that is very much mistaken. How do they imagine wild chickens manage....they don't carry umbrellas! Mine quite enjoy playing in the rain. Your hens need light more than they need to be kept out of the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Im sure I read that on some of the omlet information, but I could be wrong..... Anyway ours love the rain, they all stand in the middle of the garden with the raining pouring down on them, they do look very funny though.....Isnt there a thread somewhere on here for a competition for the wettest hen??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 I've read on here about keeping them out of the rain too, although ours don't seem bothered by it - I water their run every morning with a watering can full of water and a few drops of citronella and they run to whichever part is being watered!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladylucan Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 I cant say i have heard of that one, mine love standing around in the rain, it doesnt seem to bother them, infact they seem to find more worms etc when its raining so they are more than happy. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neal & ella Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Ours love the rain too and they love "eating" the rain-drops which hang from the eglu run. I guess it depends on the breed to some extent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveb Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I don't know where you got this information from - I have never heard it before. Ours love being out in the rain too, but I thought I'd also read somewhere that they shouldn't... found it ! "Chickens don't mind the cold at all but they prefer not to get wet" from Omlet's own care guide... http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Chickens&cat=The%20Seasons&sub=winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I think what they prefer is the option whether to get wet or not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I knew I had read it somewhere, think it is in the printed stuff as well......Good selling tactic until everyone realises that they love the rain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
