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

[Poodlemum]

I’ve been talking with some local chickie keepers (Utah) and they brood outside in similar or lower temps. Still been too anxious to move my bigger chicks out though My thermometer says it gets down to 4° even though it’s a greenhouse style hoop. They’re so ready to go out and I’m just a paranoid mess

 

[Tre3hugger]

I think they will be fine. Adding a few bricks or big rocks from outside as heat radiators is def a good idea.

 

[3KillerBs]

@DobieLover

Here are the photos.

The space I've divided off for their first days is about 4x5. The height of the bulb is about 14". I was planning on picking up the paper towels once I've seen them eating from the feeder and not just pecking food off the towels.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

I would put bricks under the heat lamp, they can stand on them and warm their feet, and it will bring them closer to the heat.

 

[samanthaoverton]

The point is will you be able to sleep tonight or fret all night and be tired in the morning? I have used several extension cords to reach a lamp down to my chickens myself but they're adults. The orange thick ones though. But I think your worried and why do that..grab a storage container bring em in and don't stress....I live in north east TN so we are expecting bad stuff here. I have chicks inside and I wouldn't want your stress. Is it worth the stress.

 

[3KillerBs]

The point is will you be able to sleep tonight or fret all night and be tired in the morning? I have used several extension cords to reach a lamp down to my chickens myself but they're adults. The orange thick ones though. But I think your worried and why do that..grab a storage container bring em in and don't stress....I live in north east TN so we are expecting bad stuff here. I have chicks inside and I wouldn't want your stress. Is it worth the stress.

Bringing them in is the last possible option.

In addition to DH's strong belief that chickens do not belong in the house, I'd be worrying that the cats would find their way into an improvised brooder and eat them.

 

[samanthaoverton]

Bringing them in is the last possible option.

In addition to DH's strong belief that chickens do not belong in the house, I'd be worrying that the cats would find their way into an improvised brooder and eat them.

Oh how sad .I'm sorry

 

[galaga6846]

It's so funny how chicken talk means something entirely different in all other aspects of life

 

[samanthaoverton]

Well I guess I'd brake out the hay bales (as someone said) and the orange extension cords...

 

[Aunt Angus]

I don't have experience brooding outdoors in cold temps, so I'm just offering ideas.

Could you put them in a container in the brooder? The sides might keep in the warmth, and you might be able to raise it closer to the lamp.

Or could you bring the chicks in and put DH and the cats in the brooder for the night? (I'm kidding, of course. No really. It's a joke)