2week old chicks and temps falling

[MomvdH]

I feel so needy asking all these questions, but my 2 silkies each hatched 2 chicks. During brooding and first week, they were separate but nearby(due to egg stealing). This week we let them intermingle during the day and it’s been fine. At night they separated on their own. Tonight, they were all snuggled together, 2 silkie mamas and 4 babies inside a cat crate- turned - brooder. All of this has been outside in a predator proof coop and small run. Well, in a few days, the temps here in KY are dropping to 30s at night….will they be ok? We’ve always done chicks indoor in a brooder with heat lamp, so this is a first for us, using broody hens, and I feel so insecure. They’ve been great mamas so far, I’m just worried about the temperature.

 

[Debbie292d]

The hen will keep them warm. They will scamper out for adventure, food/water, etc. but when they get chilled they run back under mom. I would never supplement heat for chicks that have a hen taking care of them, even in the dead of winter. They'll be just fine with her.