Beside myself

[CruellasCoup]

I am beside myself. I left my babies outside overnight It was raining and in the 40s. They seem ok but I feel like an abuser. Plus it’s going to be colder tomorrow. I pray they don’t get sick. Any advise?

 

[AGeese]

Dry them off thoroughly before it gets cold. You don't want frostbite or chill.

 

[Starrponies]

How old are they?

 

[CruellasCoup]

Just at a year

 

[CruellasCoup]

Just at a year

I have a sweeter heater above their roost. Will come on at freezing. Should I just turn it on for the night?

 

[DemeterAD9]

I did something similar, the wind blew the gate closed so my 21 chickens couldn't get back into the coop for the night. Only a handful were smart enough to get over the fence and back in the run, the rest were huddled under the coop. I debated on leaving them for the night but with the oddly warm winter we are having I didn't want to risk a raccoon or something finding them. Had to army crawl under the coop and guiding them all out from under it, picking them up and placing them on the roost, then chase the few that decided they wanted to play tag in the dark.

They didn't seem too traumatized but it was rainy all day so they already looked like drowned rats. You'd think they would want to stay out of the rain but they were playing around the yard all day. They dried out overnight and seem perfectly fine today.

So long as your birds aren't soaked through and shivering they should be okay IMO.

 

[nuthatched]

It's only 40 and they're adults? It's not ideal they got wet but they'll be fine. I'd wild birds live day in and day out in all weather, so can chickens.

 

[CruellasCoup]

They weren’t soaking wet just a little bit. They acted ok but a little subdued I just feel so bad and tomorrow will be colder. Gave them treats and they are in bed. Just worried about them getting sick.

 

[CruellasCoup]

And Thank you all for making me feel better.

 

[AGeese]

I have a sweeter heater above their roost. Will come on at freezing. Should I just turn it on for the night?

No need for heat in the 40s. But if that's what you're doing normally I'd just leave it as is if temps are going to drop and let it come on at freezing.