Are 7/8 week old chicks in 20° okay?

[ChickMamaH]

My Silkie mama has decided her 7/8 week old leg bars and and Easter egger are old enough to care for themselves. She was broody and I couldn't break her so I gave her some chicks 8 weeks ago. They have been in a nursing coop inside our run since day one. A couple of nights ago I found her inside of the coop with the other hands and the other three chicks in the nesting coop. So I move them into the big coop with her. But now she doesn't even sleep with them. They are the same size as the silkie now and that's why I'm assuming she is no longer mothering them. They are in a nesting box together. And she is on the other side of the coop. It's supposed to get into the low twenties tonight. Is it safe to leave them out there. I added fresh pine and made sure there was no drafts. They have been outside since day one. They look fully feathered to me. But this is my first year with chicks in the winter. Should I bring them inside or will they be okay.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

It's been 20F here and lower already. We have silkies that age and some a bit older that can't go in the coop yet, so they have a hutch inside of a pen. We put a Cozy Coop radiant heater in the hutch for them. Those are just for them to lean up against or near if they get chilled.

Yours being legbars and EEs are probably a bit more advanced than silkies and I'd think they'd be okay if they have a draft-free place to snuggle up together in. If your temps are going to be dropping down much more than that, I'd consider picking up a radiant heater for them.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

If they are acting OK, then keep an eye on them but let them go for now. If they are not OK then move them in.

 

[ChickMamaH]

Update!

They are fine this morning!

Gave them extra treats and unwanted snuggles.

 

[Yardmom]

Weening the chicks is a natural process. 8 week old chicks are fine in winter temperatures. If they have hatch mates to cuddle with no need to worry.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They are the same size as the silkie now and that's why I'm assuming she is no longer mothering them.

I've had hens wean their chicks as early as 3 weeks though that was in the heat of summer where they could easily handle the temperatures. I've also had hens wean them a lot older. Your hen did her job and took care of them as long as they needed her.

I added fresh pine and made sure there was no drafts. They have been outside since day one.

They have acclimated. With no breezes hitting them and decent ventilation so the moisture does not build up they are good to go.

They look fully feathered to me

Most chicks are feathered to the point they can handle cold weather at 4 to 5 weeks old. Most doesn't mean all but 8 week olds should be more than OK.

Update!

They are fine this morning!