Chickens are equipped to swim for short periods, but are not good swimmers and can easily drown if left in water for more than five or ten minutes. Chickens don't have waterproof feathers, so they become waterproof and the weight pulls them down. If you're concerned that your chicks will get too hot in the summer, place them in a shallow wading pool or a pan of water that's shallow enough so they can stand easily and fly out when they're ready.
Do chickens like to crawl into water?
No, chickens with access to water bodies are not known to end up in them. They avoid it, and also avoid rain, and seek shelter under bushes, on paths or other sheltered areas. The reason chickens avoid rain is because their feathers are not waterproof. If they stay outside in heavy rain, their feathers get wet and they feel cold right down to their skin. Therefore, they generally avoid getting wet. It's a survival instinct.
There may be rare exceptions to this rule in extremely hot weather conditions. If a chicken is overheating, a little cold water can be a welcome relief. This can vary from chicken to chicken. It is not a rule that every chicken enjoys a short dip in cold water in warm weather. Many prefer to cool down by drinking ice water and finding some shade to rest.
Can chickens float?
Like their duck cousins, adult chicks will float in water. However, they cannot float for long periods of time. Their ability to float is likely a survival mechanism to give them a chance to get out of a lake or pond if they fall in while having a drink. Never leave a chicken unattended in deep water. You never know at what point their water-filled feathers will overcome their ability to float and pull underwater.
Are chickens waterproof?
Ducks and other watertight birdsproduce oil in their prostate gland, they get this oil on their beaks and then carefully cover all their feathers with the oil. That's why the water just rolls off their backs. You may have noticed that water rolls off your chicken's back during light rain. However, they are not waterproof in the same way as ducks.
Although chickens, like most birds, have an oil-filled pre-gland, the type of oil produced varies by bird species. The oil that chickens produce iswater resistant, which keeps them dry in light rain, but not waterproof. The oil also repels dirt and parasites, keeping the chicken clean.
In addition to the differences in the type of oil secreted by waterfowl and chickens, this is something to keep in mindthe structure of the feathers on the bodyis very different. Duck feathers stack up in a very neat way and provide a sleek appearance. Although chickens are fluffy, their feathers don't stack in the same way. This allows water to find its way to the skin much more easily.
So while chicken feathers are somewhat water resistant, they are not designed to be waterproof.
Chickens and swimming pools
There are several reasons why it is not a good idea to put chickens in a backyard pool.
- Chickens will pee in your pool. Chicken feces often contain bacteria that are harmful to humans, including salmonella.
- The chemicals used in the pool can be harmful to the chicken.
- The chick may not be able to leave the pool on its own after it finishes swimming.
- The chicken can become drenched while you are not looking and drown.
The bottom line is that putting a chicken in a pool is not good for chickens or people. If you live in a very warm climate and have a chicken that likes to swim, buy a wading pool that is shallow enough for the chicken to get out easily and use it only for chickens.
Can chickens swim?
Chickens drown very quickly in water. They do not float like adult birds and their down feathers are not waterproof at all. Chickens should never be near large containers of open water. They can often fly up, sit on the edge and then fall into the water. The problem is that they can no longer get out of the water.
If you have a chicken that gets wet and you can save it, make sure you get it warm and dry quickly. Wrap it gently in a towel for a few minutes and then place it under a heat lamp.
