Can 5 week old cornish x's handle a wet 40 degreee night in the tractor?

[CurlyLindsay]

My first time with Cornish X's so forgive all the questions!

We are having a big cold front following the tornadoes that passed through Missouri a few nights ago - it's expected to get down to 39 tonight with misty, icky rain. Yuck!

I have 30 5-week old chicks out in a tractor, and I'm a little concerned about them. They look fully feathered when they are cozied up for the night, but most have bald patches visible at joints when they move. The tractor is 8 foot by 5 foot, with a tarp over the top and long sides- with the short ends open. It's been in the high 40's and wet today and I'm not seeing any piling up.

Should I expect them to be okay for the night? If not, is the best course of action a second tarp covering the tractor + sides or adding a lamp? (I feel like they are so big at this point a lamp might encourage piling up?)

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I think they should be fine as long as your tractor is water tight and they don't get wet and cold. I would consider bringing them in the house for night, if your really worried. Good luck!

 

[thriftyfarmer]

Dry and protected from wind is very important. 5 week old birds can handle freezing temps if they are dry.

 

[misbhaven]

I have mine in a similar pen but I hve a xtra large dogloo in it (scored for free). They are older but I put them out in 30 degree weather with just a 100 watt bulb in a brooder lamp hung from the top of dogloo. I have a tarpacross the top and back of mine. Didn't even loose one. To the weather .

 

[Mehjr10]

As long as they have a place to be out of the rain to get dry and can gather together they should be good.