[Seedling]

We've had 3 ex batts for 6 weeks now in an enclosed run on the allotment. We built them a big pen at the weekend so they can roam about during the day so I let them out before I go to work in the morning and put them to bed in the evening.

This evening I went to put them to bed and they were soaking! Please tell me if I'm being an idiot but I assumed if they started to get wet they'd go back inside?

Obviously birds get wet all the time in the wild so is this normal or should i try to dry them off like I do with my dogs?

Feel free to call me idiot of the year but I'd just rather know!

Fi  :roll:

[babe]

hi fi, as long as they can get out of the rain if they wish, then dont worry.

rain brings worms to the surface...... all you can eat buffet for a chicken  

[mdueal]

Some of our chickens will go in - others just sit there looking grumpy and look like they are blaming you for getting rained on. Sheer chicken bloodymindedness!

[Seedling]

Ah ha never thought of that, of course, I guess if someone put some of my favourite food outside I'd go and get some even in the rain!  

Well they're shut in for the night now so hopefully they'll dry off overnight ready for the next stint tomorrow.

Thanks ever so much!  

Fi

[mtoyne]

Weve got 3 ex batts that weve had for 4 weeks and 2 others from a friend. I had read somewhere that ex batts often dont understand about going inside so they dont get wet. I worried about mine at first as they stay outside and get wet but my other 2 do the same and theyve been raised from eggs by a friend and then we have had them as pets.

[violet]

We had very heavy rain this weekend....our three girls ignored the lovely warm, dry hen house, and stood under the garden table...every time the rain eased a little they paddled into the wet sludge and started digging and eating!!!!.  they looked so pathetic (but full)....I do not know how the little Pekin managed to lift her legs up she was soooooo messy.... :roll:

[SnooziSuzi]

my girls are free to go in and out as they choose and always stay outside until they're soaked to the skin.

the phrase isn't 'bird brained' for no reason!  :roll:

[Lost in France]

My silkies stay out in the rain but don't like wind. They get really wet and bedraggled but seem oblivious! The water doesn't seem to run off their feathers as it does my little partridge birds. I hate watching them in the rain as they look uncomfortable but then it's their choice as they have shelter to go to!

Judi

[Bodger]

There's no getting away from the fact that chickens are thick and slow to learn. Your battery hens have been deprived of just about all natural stimuli during their life in a wire cage and its going to take sometime for them to get clued up. They are probably as baffled as you as to why they get wet when it rains.

[westie]

Our four wander in and out of the rain. Only if it is pouring and windy at the same time will they stay inside thier shelter.
They were soaking wet when I tucked them in for the night last night, but they had dried off by this morning just in time to get wet again when I let them out!
Silly birds :roll:

[Seedling]

Thanks guys I feel much better now, last night I had visions of them getting colds and all that business!

When I went tonight (in the rain!  :roll: ) they were pretty dry so I think they'd been in for most of the afternoon. While I was there all three were having a good old splosh around in the mud but they seemed quite happy to go to bed.

Bless them they do make me laugh!
This is such a good forum, lots of helpful people and helpful info for a newbie like me!

Fi

[babe]

everyone is super friendly on here fi, have a wander to off topic, and join in...lots of nutters there, but you do get used to them