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Post by susan on Jul 21, 2013 21:16:13 GMT -5
We've been keeping the door of their coop open during the day and they have the fenced area to run around in. Today it was on again, off again rain. So Mike opened their door wide and put the tarp down over the front pulling it out tented so they could run under it from either end and get inside if it rained. They hid behind the coop in the pouring rain and were afraid to go near that tarp. When he went out to get them in the coop and close it up for the night they were all lined up in the rain looking at it. As soon as he raised that flap they made a bee line for the coop. So will they be ok? Can they catch cold or get sick from being wet and chilly? I sure hope not.
Oh, and the reason for the tarp cover is because the coop faces south and the rain is coming from that direction and will pour inside their coop and get the food and everything wet.
Susan
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Post by Granny Smith on Jul 21, 2013 22:24:36 GMT -5
How old are they now? If they have feathers, they should be ok.
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Post by BigM on Jul 22, 2013 5:03:43 GMT -5
They should be fine as long as your temps don't get low. You just gotta hope they don't shrink up on ya! lol
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Post by mysisteringa on Jul 22, 2013 5:54:02 GMT -5
The only time I had chickens, they were left outside all the time. I didn't have a coop for them. They roosted in the trees and made their nests on the ground under the honeysuckle and blackberries. They were out year-round and we only lost 2 during the blizzard of 93 when we got 23 inches of snow overnight. So, I wouldn't worry too much about them getting wet....
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Post by susan on Jul 22, 2013 6:42:57 GMT -5
After I posted last night I went on a search and found a forum talking about chickens in the rain. Most of the folks on there were saying their idiot chickens loved the rain. We got down to around 70 last night. They are in their coop nice and dry. It's pouring rain and the radar doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon.
Oh, Gayle, they are nearly 5 months old and look full grown.
Susan
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Post by Valerie on Jul 22, 2013 9:55:43 GMT -5
I had to go out in a tropical storm a few years back and retrieve my chickens, one by one, out of the rain. Dummies were standing right out in it, looking miserable. They were in their run, with the open coop door right there! But the rain was pouring off the roof in a sheet and I think it scared them. They were afraid to run under it (so I had to -- many times --  ). Anyway, it didn't hurt them a bit. They looked like drowned rats but once they dried out they were fine.  |
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Post by weg on Jul 22, 2013 9:58:22 GMT -5
I have heard an old saying that if its gonna rain for a little bit than they will run for cover,if its going to rain all day they just stay out in it.My chickens stay out in it or go in which ever they prefer.
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). Anyway, it didn't hurt them a bit. They looked like drowned rats but once they dried out they were fine. 