Advice on chicks and the cold

[Debbie292d]

I had planned on keeping them with their mama in their own space for a while

Oh, you get the hen too? I misunderstood and thought you were just picking up two chicks. If they have a mom, they'll be fine in much colder than that!

 

[kattabelly]

I will be keeping them out of the rain/weather!

You don't need to keep them out of the weather, they just need to be able to get out of it.

Like Debbie says, if they'll be with their mum this isn't even an issue at all.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Oh, you get the hen too? I misunderstood and thought you were just picking up two chicks. If they have a mom, they'll be fine in much colder than that!

@Debbie292d I highly value your input on all things chicken. Do you think my 5, mostly feathered 4.5 week olds will be okay in 40 degrees? They won't be in wind or rain. They're Orpingtons and 2 mystery chicks that are the same size as the Orpingtons.

 

[Debbie292d]

@Debbie292d I highly value your input on all things chicken. Do you think my 5, mostly feathered 4.5 week olds will be okay in 40 degrees? They won't be in wind or rain. They're Orpingtons and 2 mystery chicks that are the same size as the Orpingtons.

Hi, Anne,

I only raise silkies here, but I know Orpingtons are much more cold-hardy. Since you have five of them and out of the elements, and 40F is as low as it gets, I'd think they'd be great outdoors! They can huddle together to stay warm at night, but they'll be frolicking by day!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Hi, Anne,

I only raise silkies here, but I know Orpingtons are much more cold-hardy. Since you have five of them and out of the elements, and 40F is as low as it gets, I'd think they'd be great outdoors! They can huddle together to stay warm at night, but they'll be frolicking by day!

Oh they're definitely all over during the day, lol. I've had them outside for almost 2 weeks, and night temps have been around 50. I had their brooder plate with them at first, but they were totally ignoring it so I took it out. Since the next 2 nights will be 40, I wanted to check. Thank you for your input, I appreciate you!

 

[Debbie292d]

Oh they're definitely all over during the day, lol. I've had them outside for almost 2 weeks, and night temps have been around 50. I had their brooder plate with them at first, but they were totally ignoring it so I took it out. Since the next 2 nights will be 40, I wanted to check. Thank you for your input, I appreciate you!

You're very welcome, and thank you!

My guess is you'll go check on them to be sure, but I know you'll see them all huddled up and sleeping just fine.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

You're very welcome, and thank you!

My guess is you'll go check on them to be sure, but I know you'll see them all huddled up and sleeping just fine.

Oh I definitely will. You should've seen me when I moved my very first group into the coop. I was down there like some crazy lady with a flashlight, peeping in at them to make sure they were all there and safe after dark.