Hi Just a quick question, it has been raining continuously all day, my chickens have the option of going into their undercover run or coop but don't seem interested in doing so, as a result they are beginning to look very soggy. Should I lock them in the run to give them a chance to dry out?
chickens and rain
- Thread starter cleo16
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dinosaw
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They love scratching about in the rain and tolerate it pretty well, I leave it up to them as to whether they get under cover or not and have never had any problems, if it was cold weather then it would be worth getting them inside so they didn't catch a cold but they ought to be ok in this sort of weather.
They will be OK at this time of year so long as they have shelter if they want to choose it. In the winter the rain itself won't hurt them but it's probably a good idea, if you have the facilities, to shut them up under cover for a couple of hours before roosting time. This is so that their feathers get a chance to dry off before they go in the coop, thus avoiding high humidity and condensation inside the coop during the long winter nights, when they may be in there for up to 15 hours of darkness. Damp, stuffy conditions in a coop can cause bronchial problems and possible illness, any germs will be passed around in the humid air just like in a doctor's waiting room in the flu season!
