Chickens Oiling

[sandburRanch]

I did an extensive search from the search box to find the answer to the question i have but no answer unless i missed the thousand i read .

QUESTION:
When we see chickens reaching the beak to the tail frequently for a few minutes then rubbing their feathers with the beak i've been told they are oiling their feathers in anticipation of rain . Is it really true a chicken can tell if it's going to rain . If so , how accurate is their forecast in time ?

 

[sourland]

Nope, in my experience they can't tell if it's going to rain - they're just getting prepared in case it does rain.