Goodness I can't stand micromanaging animals that don't have a lick of sense. We supply the basics & take it from there.

Sorry, rant over!

Cold & wet = sick as you know. Maybe they aren't wet down to the skin? If they were mine I'd lock them up & let them out when conditions were favorable. We're not big on chickens though so take my advise with a grain of salt.

I've stated many times they either make it or they don't on our farm. Either they are hardy or they are not, sooner or later the flock will become hardy. Then again we don't rely on them heavily like others may.
Brendasue

Mine go out in the rain and never get sick?? They rarely get soaked to the skin anyway.

My neighbor who grew up with chickens told me they have an oil gland right above their tails. Before it rains, if you watch them, you'll see them taking the oil from there with their beaks and spreading them on their feathers. It's supposed to help waterproof them.

That said, I've seen mine looking pretty wet when it rains but they never get sick. The only time I'd worry is if a sudden huge temperature change is predicted. If it's already cold when it starts raining they should know best. I've picked mine up when they were wet and it was freezing out and they feel like little hot-water bottles. I guess we need to remember they are wearing down coats.

OK, so they're fine. It's not really spring here permanently yet and is just barely above freezing. I guess they do know best. I worry a lot about everyone.

I read "soaking wet" as probably being wet down to the skin? If they are wet & cold below freezing, just like any animal they are suseptible to getting sick. Wet alone or cold alone isn't a problem, it's the combination that can become a problem.
Brendasue

whaaat you let your chickens get wet???

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:37038}}

My mother always said if it's going to rain all days the chickens will stay out in the rain if it's a quick shower they will run for cover.
lindag

So long as they have adult feathers and aren't molting they should have enough oil to handle a little water.

I'm relieved to hear all of this. They seem fine now so it didn't hurt them. They did not run for cover, some did.

lol@Msjayu2! Next time I'll tell them to use their unbrellas.