Expecting 19F Saturday Night so I'm Nervous -- Advice Wanted.

[3KillerBs]

I have 7 chicks, 6 that hatched Tuesday and one straggler from Wednesday in my 4x8, Outdoor Brooder.

Last night was down around 40F and the lamp kept the spot right under it about 90-95F with it as low as I feel safe putting it.

They weren't complaining, but they were cuddled pretty tightly. I don't know that this setup is going to be good for 20 degrees colder -- I'm used to coping with excessive heat, not chicks below freezing -- so I'm looking for advice.

Should I add a second lamp if the extension will take the draw safely?

Should I do something to confine them more closely and reflect heat back? Close off some of my 16 square feet of ventilation (could be easier said than done given the design)?

Should I bring them inside those two nights?

Saturday night is forecast to be down to 19F, Sunday down to 29 (days in the 50's), then the temps will rise back to 40F or above. 19F is a very unusual cold snap for us at this time of year.

I know some people brood outdoors in this kind of weather but I don't know how the setup differs.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Mine where brooded outside with worse temps I did add some water bottles with hot water as they all couldnt fit directly under the lamp and mine where fine

 

[DobieLover]

I know some people brood outdoors in this kind of weather but I don't know how the setup differs.

I brooded with temps in the low 20s using a brooder plate with a towel thrown over it. The chicks did just fine.
Put a few more bricks in the area and make something of an incomplete circle. They will absorb the heat from the lamp and radiate it back out too.
Do you have wind blocks on the HC walls?

 

[Brooks_]

I have 7 chicks, 6 that hatched Tuesday and one straggler from Wednesday in my 4x8, Outdoor Brooder.

View attachment 3021260

Last night was down around 40F and the lamp kept the spot right under it about 90-95F with it as low as I feel safe putting it.

View attachment 3021262

They weren't complaining, but they were cuddled pretty tightly. I don't know that this setup is going to be good for 20 degrees colder -- I'm used to coping with excessive heat, not chicks below freezing -- so I'm looking for advice.

Should I add a second lamp if the extension will take the draw safely?

Should I do something to confine them more closely and reflect heat back? Close off some of my 16 square feet of ventilation (could be easier said than done given the design)?

Should I bring them inside those two nights?

Saturday night is forecast to be down to 19F, Sunday down to 29 (days in the 50's), then the temps will rise back to 40F or above. 19F is a very unusual cold snap for us at this time of year.

I know some people brood outdoors in this kind of weather but I don't know how the setup differs.

Oof, 19. Wish I had some words of wisdom.

 

[Brooks_]

I brooded with temps in the low 20s using a brooder plate with a towel thrown over it. The chicks did just fine.

Dobie to the rescue. Adding a plate is probably the solution.

 

[3KillerBs]

I brooded with temps in the low 20s using a brooder plate with a towel thrown over it. The chicks did just fine.
Put a few more bricks in the area and make something of an incomplete circle. They will absorb the heat from the lamp and radiate it back out too.
Do you have wind blocks on the HC walls?

I'll get detailed photos. shortly.

Dobie to the rescue. Adding a plate is probably the solution.

This is not at all possible. I can add another lamp but I don't have a plate and cannot get one.

 

[MadGardener]

A bale of straw outside the wall may help if you have one. Here's hoping this is a Southern winter's last hurrah!

 

[Brooks_]

I don't have a plate and cannot get one

I didn't realize you were that far out in the sticks. Good luck. This is the hatch, right?

 

[3KillerBs]

I didn't realize you were that far out in the sticks. Good luck. This is the hatch, right?

Not out in the sticks. Budget.

And the inability to keep my ambient brooding temperature above 50F as was recommended when I looked into using plates.

This is throwing me for a loop because I have not previously even had to bring out the Big Red Bulb -- using only 150w bulbs and lower.

 

[Brooks_]

Not out in the sticks. Budget.

And the inability to keep my ambient brooding temperature above 50F as was recommended when I looked into using plates.

This is throwing me for a loop because I have not previously even had to bring out the Big Red Bulb -- using only 150w bulbs and lower.

I would like to say that the lamp would keep ambient above 50, but can't say that it would or would not.