Cold front moved in, power went out - poor chilly chicks!

[smnytx]

My babies will be four weeks old tomorrow (by my best guess), and have been living in a modified rabbit hutch on my screened porch for the last two weeks. DH is building a lovely mobile coop for them.

This morning when I left, it was so warm that I almost shut off their warming light, but DH told me a front was due, so I left it on, and draped a towel over that end of their cage, so one side would be nice and warm. I left the other side open to the air so they could regulate their temps.

Well, the cold front came in with a vengeance, and wouldn't you know, the wind knocked out the power. I have no idea how long it was out here, as I was at work. The girls seem OK, and the light was back on when I got home. Hopefully it was only out a few minutes.

I have covered the other side of the cage with an old cloth shower curtain, to keep the worst of the wind off of them. I think I'm going to go cuddle them a bit, and make sure they're toasty!

I'm worried about future power losses when I'm away... any ideas?

 

[seminolewind]

If you think it might happen, how bout a hot water bottle, or that hot rice thing?

 

[hcammack]

those chicks are almost old enough to go without light. How cold are we talking about?

Henry

 

[allen wranch]

Where are you located ?

Our temps dropped 30° overnight with heavy gusts of wind and 2.5 inches of rain. I had no idea it was going to be that bad and hadn't prepared either. Fortunately all my birds are laying age plus so they were just a little inconvenienced.

 

[smnytx]

I'm just south of Houston.

The chicks are mostly feathered out, and I think they can handle it (well, they obviously did). They are still just fuzz on their necks, bottoms, and under their wings.

Tonight I gave them a little rice to warm their bellies, and snuggled the towel and shower curtain thingie around the cage to keep the wind off. I think they'll be fine; but I don't want to leave it that way all day, because they'll roast in there if it warms up suddenly.

I'll be checking the weather reports tomorrow!

 

[eggcetra_farms]

My chickens were funny this morning. I let them out, and the second their little feet hit the cold grass they all stopped and looked up at me like "whoa, what's up with this?!" It was hilarious. At one point in the day they were actually all huddled up in a feathery ball. 3 will be a year old in FEB and 3 are over a year old, so they're not babies. I just thought, geez...you girls really ARE Texas chickens, aren't you? LOL

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
Down to 38 tonight! I might as well move back to Wisconsin where I can expect it. In fact the forecast for La Crosse, WI is the same, down to 38 tonight...

 

[eggcetra_farms]

I guess we're going to be "toasty." It's supposed to be a low of 45 here tonight (San Antonio). Stay warm!

 

[gardener]

So what temps would be ok without lights for 5 week old chicks?

 

[ozark hen]

If you have a deep bedding for them...like a few inches of pine shavings they will stay toasty warm as long as you wrap the pen in something to keep out the drafts but at the same time allow circulation. How big a pen are you talking about? In this rabbit hutch, is there a enclosed box for them to retreat into? If so make sure there is a thick layer of shavings on the bottom and put a cloth over the door opening where they can still come and go and they will be fine. Just make sure there are no drafts and they really will be ok.