Chicks and heat

[tanyabee]

Our 5 chicks are 3 and 4 weeks old (we think-the story lady guessed). Today it's quite hot here, around 88 degrees, and we've noticed they are laying different than usual, aren't as active, very sluggish. They are in a large tote as a brooder, with fresh water, food etc. Is there anything I can do to help make them more comfortable? I'm a bit worried they will get too warm, but I can't bring them in the house with the AC...

 

[HuskerHens18]

Is there a heat lamp on them? They might be cooking in that tote brooder. Are they outside in direct sun or in the coop? If they are in a coop it might be more like 95° inside the tote

 

[tanyabee]

No heat lamp because of the temps. They are currently in the tote in our garage with both doors open to let air in. There's no sun near them.

 

[HuskerHens18]

No heat lamp because of the temps. They are currently in the tote in our garage with both doors open to let air in. There's no sun near them.

Can you tell if they are drinking water? I think they are just very hot, I want you to keep a close eye on them and make sure they're drinking. Maybe adding electrolytes to their water could help?

 

[tanyabee]

Ok I will definitely watch for that. Right now 3 are on the little roost we made and two laying under it. I added electrolytes to the water earlier today. Thank you for your help!

 

[tanyabee]

I went out and moved them closer to where the air is moving in the garage and perked them up. I watched each one take a drink, so I hope they are just fine

 

[HuskerHens18]

I went out and moved them closer to where the air is moving in the garage and perked them up. I watched each one take a drink, so I hope they are just fine

Sounds good! They probably just got a little too hot and needed some fresher air

 

[tanyabee]

I'm not sure now what to do for tonight. It's still 80 degrees outside, but the low tonight is 65. So when I go to bed, I'm worried it'll still be too warm to put their lamp on, but will get too cold later on to go without. Geez, this is more worrisome than I thought, lol!

 

[HuskerHens18]

I'm not sure now what to do for tonight. It's still 80 degrees outside, but the low tonight is 65. So when I go to bed, I'm worried it'll still be too warm to put their lamp on, but will get too cold later on to go without. Geez, this is more worrisome than I thought, lol!

For that as a low, I'd probably shut the garage doors. Then open the doors back up when the temp hits 75-80° In the morning.

 

[tanyabee]

For that as a low, I'd probably shut the garage doors. Then open the doors back up when the temp hits 75-80° In the morning.

Ok, thank you very much for all your help!