[DannyBoy230]

I have come home from work to find a couple of my girls seem to have spent all day in the rain today and are soaking wet.

Can this cause a problem? Should I blast them with a hair dryer before bed?

[desandchez]

My girls are out in the rain all day and i just let them get on with it,I would not use the hair drier as it might scare them. If you realy are concerned then towel them,

[BestBreast]

I don't worry about it. They can look a bit worse for wear after being in the rain but as long as they can have a fluff up out of the rain (undercover) before going into the house for bed I think they are fine. Mine have not had any illness (touch wood) and I don't plan to start towel drying I think you could upset them.

After all they have natural oils in their feathers to protect them. If you wanted to clean a hen, I have read you would have to rub really well (with detergent) to remove the natural oils and it would take about a week to return to normal levels.

[shiatsusu]

Mine got soaked yesterday and have done previously with no ill effects. They dry off naturally overnight in the warmth of the house . I guess the only thing to watch is if they develop a cold a couple of days later but this would more likely be due to low immunity rather than a soaking 

[DannyBoy230]

Thanks guys - you've all put my mind at rest there!

They just looked awful! So 'Scraggly'!

[BestBreast]

Don't worry we still have all the April showers and torrential rain to come! Then we can worry about them being too hot!

[babe]

they'll be absolutely fine, as long as they have shelter if they want it, then they are just being chickens doing what chickens do.

[mrs.ploppy]

Sorry to hear about your very wet hens!  Each year I go to out local pound/99p shop and get a few garden umbrellas.  Stick them in their pens dotted about and hey presto you have instant rain and sun shelters!!  Cant go wrong.  If it gets windy just fold them down.  They come with a long metle spike that can be hammered into the ground.  My chucks love them.  They usually last a few seasons then I just get some more.  Hens will spend all day sratching about what ever the weather so it's good to give a little protection.

[matthew2riches]

Mine have been soaked for the past 3 days with no issues.

They are mad

[BestBreast]

I was rather pleased toaday. Had to go to the dentist so as they have no roof I put them into the coop two mins later it was pouring with rain (I hope they appreciated it?)