[janiejakemum]

My dad keeps a few chickens but is very new to it all and we are having a debate about the waterproofing of chickens.  I watched the programme on the tele the other night about turkeys and they said that turkeys aren't waterproof but if they stay outside they become waterproof.

Is it the same principal for chickens?, my dad tells me that his chickens arent waterproof but i always thought they would be, i havent ever seen them so dont know but wondered really thats all.

Thanks for your input.

[Aunt Sally]

Hmmm. Interesting thought

No idea me self though :roll:

[poultrygeist]

I would imagine they're as waterproof as any other bird and it's water that stimulates waterproofing in ducks so maybe it's a common theme.

They do become bedraggled after a while in the rain so they're probably water resistant rather than proof !  

Rob  

[Foxy]

mmm I always thought chickens were "shower resistant" and ducks were waterproof due to the oils they secrete which as Rob says is stimulated by water. I know that a mummy duck is able to temporarily waterproof her ducklings with the oils on her feathers so they are able to swim with her from an early age wheres my ducklings under a mummy hen had to wait until they were able to secrete their own oils before becoming waterproof which was roughly when they were fully feathered.
No idea about turkeys though!!!

[Yolky]

I recon birds should have a stamp on the bottom, you know like watches...'shower resistant' 'water proof'

[Boxfanman]

My dad keeps a few chickens but is very new to it all and we are having a debate about the waterproofing of chickens.  I watched the programme on the tele the other night about turkeys and they said that turkeys aren't waterproof but if they stay outside they become waterproof.

Is it the same principal for chickens?, my dad tells me that his chickens arent waterproof but i always thought they would be, i havent ever seen them so dont know but wondered really thats all.

Thanks for your input.

My hens seem to be allergic to water. They go nuts if they get splashed.

[janiejakemum]

They dont like water if its thrown at them but my dad had told me that sometimes in the rain they shelter and sometimes they dont and they get soaked through.

[poultrygeist]

I think they go out in the rain looking for worms and slugs, etc.

Guess they get to a point where the discomfort overrides the greed and they seek out shelter.

I've noticed even the ducks run for shelter when we have a sudden heavy downpour. But drizzle or light rain and they all seem happy enough.

Rob  

[mtoyne]

Mine have plenty of places to shelter but it has to be very heavy rain for them before they run for cover. They always looked soaked but it doesnt bother them.