Chicks and breeze

[MarlaMac]

I have 6 19-day-old blue australorp chicks. They are in separate part of my coop with a run we just build yesterday. I also have a 6 week old black australorp single hatch (probably a cockerel) in with them. The 6 week old was left by mom about a week ago and had been hanging by the chick's gate for that time.

The integration went great and they are all coexisting peacefully.

Today I noticed they were all hanging out in the coop instead of the run. Upon further investigation, I had opened the coop windows and there was more wind coming through the coop than through the run. I had installed wind guards b/c we experiencing 16-20 mph winds.

I opened up the wind shields and they have been happily trouncing around the run. They do have 2 places in the run they can get out of the wind if they so desire.

I have always read, "chicks can't be in drafts". Yet, mine seem happier in the wind. It was high of 92 here today with 39% humidity. So I am guessing that the draft rule applies to cooler temperature and younger chicks? I also figure, they are smart enough to get out of the wind if they want to.

Am I on the right track or am I subjecting them to issues I do not see?

Thanks.

 

[nuthatched]

I'm pretty sure it's a myth

 

[StinkyAcres]

So I am guessing that the draft rule applies to cooler temperature and younger chicks?

Yes, the definition of a draft is "a current of unpleasantly cold air blowing through a room" https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/draft

 

[MarlaMac]

I'm pretty sure it's a myth

That is what I was thinking.

 

[kattabelly]

92 probably feels much more bearable with a bit of a breeze by that age. Even younger chicks are fine with some wind in cooler temps as long as they have access to somewhere dry and sheltered to warm up and know how to get there.

I've had my three week olds out this week in 20mph wind at temps 60 and under for at least part of the day when it wasn't raining too much. They mostly stick to the less exposed areas and huddle together in a box lined with hay to warm up when they need to.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They had the option of going where they felt most comfortable and took it. At 92F, a breeze is very much welcome.

Same with the well meaning advice that chicks cannot be left out in rain. While you wouldn't want to have them caged out without shelter during a heavy rainfall, chicks past a few days old are certainly capable of seeking shelter that's provided to them during bouts of rain.

 

[kattabelly]

Same with the well meaning advice that chicks cannot be left out in rain.

Not sure if that was aimed at me at all but just to clarify, I'm keeping chicks indoors while they're still only very partially feathered and it's low-mid 50s with sideways rain and enough humidity to make everything feel damp and cold even when it's technically in the dry. Some rain is fine but heavy, prolonged rainfall in those conditions seems a bit much for them - though I'm sure they'd cope if they had to.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not sure if that was aimed at me at all but just to clarify, I'm keeping chicks indoors while they're still only very partially feathered and it's low-mid 50s with sideways rain and enough humidity to make everything feel damp and cold even when it's technically in the dry. Some rain is fine but heavy, prolonged rainfall in those conditions seems a bit much for them - though I'm sure they'd cope if they had to.

It wasn't directed at anyone, just a general comment as I often see advice insisting chicks must be kept bone dry.

I brood outdoors. The first batch, I moved the brooder into the garage every time rain was in the forecast. After that, I decided it was too much work and just left them out. They're only locked up here because they're only 7 days old so still on see-but-no-touch for a few more days.