Brooder outside or bring them inside?

[Counting chickens]

2 day old chicks, an Unexpected Journey.
I was not planning on getting chicks yet, but here we are. They are in a 2'x6' brooder with a premier 1 heater plate. It is going to get down into the 30's the next couple of nights, but 66 degrees this afternoon as the wind shifted from the south. My concern is, the brooder is on an open balcony, so drafty now that the wind is out of the south. Will the heat plate be enough?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I know you already pulled them in but my main concern would be that the heat plate might not work reliably down in the 30s unless the instructions specify it can.

People have brooded outdoors down in the 20s. Not ideal but as long as the heat source is in a dry and draft free spot, and the chicks understand how to use their heat source as needed, they should be okay. But since they're so young it didn't hurt to be extra cautious since 2 day olds may not be reliable in finding their way back to heat if they should stray from it.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I would bring them in if it were me. Just because of the wind chill.
2 day olds are fragile. That's just my opinion.

 

[Counting chickens]

Just an update for anyone bored and snowed in :
Chicks are a week old and the Brooder is in my upstairs office now. (Still have brooder heat plate in with them.
Upstairs temps are about 55 degrees, and I put a space heater near the brooder to boost the temp locally for them. I was considering replacing the space heater with a red bulb heat lamp, but they seem content as they are, and almost all are out feeding and scratching.

 

[TwoCrows]

I agree, they need to be in a draft free building, 2 day olds can die in drafty areas. I'd bring them inside.

 

[Kwoka]

personally, I would bring them in. That being said, I’m over in Europe with outside temps about -9C(16 F) and I have my week-olds, as well as 2 day-olds in the house until the cold snap passes. I have an attached garage that’s currently 8C(46F) and I won’t even move them there yet, because I’m afraid they will be stressed, stunted, and have lowered immune systems at this tender age. Plus, the possibility of a power outage means no heating plate and dead chicks. I never fully trust the power grid in winter

 

[BDutch]

The chicks can’t stay under the heat plate all the time. And freezing cold is not okay for baby chicks.
I would bring the inside too. And put them behind a window or buy a daylight lamp soon for fake sunlight a couple of hours each day.

 

[Counting chickens]

Ok, Thanks Guys! Appreciate your time.
going to pull them in now...

 

[Counting chickens]

True... I was on the fence since they seemed so cozy, but I would be PISSED at myself if something happened...

 

[wrathsfarm]

I will say, they were not happy to be disturbed. Wind is gone now, about 45-50 degrees.
When I pulled the lid and the heater plate off, everyone was warm and toasty...

Better to be safe than sorry.
50 degrees is still cold to newborns that get away from the plate and not know how to find their way back to it. If they were a week or two old I wouldn't be so concerned about it but.....