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

[HenHouse Henry]

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

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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.

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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.

Last spring the power went out and I filled plastic jugs with hot water, lay the bottles on their side and the babies will lay next to them for warmth. they radiate heat for a long time. Good Luck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I can't get them to use the huddle box.

They haven't needed it. A huddle box/Ohio brooder is a good idea but they may not know to use it.

I'm late to the party, had other things going on. If the circuit will take it I'd hang that second lamp with the 250 bulb in a corner with the heated area overlapping the other lamp's heated area. A 4' x 5' should be big enough they can get away if they need to. Or change out the 125 bulb for the 250.

Just because they are huddling together doesn't mean they are cold, they like the company. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference.

I think the gallon jugs of warm water or bricks could be a good idea. I'm not sure if they will remain a source of heat or become a heat sink. You can try them and check how warm they are when you go to bed. See how much they cool off. I think you can tell by then if they will absorb heat from the lamp and retain heat or draw heat away.

 

[3KillerBs]

Due to the wonderful generosity of one of our members here, I now have a Producer's Pride brooder plate, which I'm setting up for tonight (which is only going to be in the 50's).

I'll use the lamp and the plate together tomorrow night and Sunday night for insurance.

I'm deeply, deeply grateful.

 

[NanaK]

I so love a happy ending! WOW just WOW
Just when the world's even more crazy, we are reminded there are many good folks out there too!

Happy for you and your babies.

 

[3KillerBs]

It couldn't have been easier to setup. I did have to change to the middle height on the legs since they were sinking into the shavings.

I turned it on and went down to the coop to kick birds out of nests and collect late eggs, figuring that I'd tuck them into the warm on my way back to the house. That takes less than 10 minutes and when I came back all the babies except Slowpoke were already under the plate.

So I tucked Slowpoke under with the others and tried to take photos but couldn't get my phone aimed right to show the cozy babies under the plate.

 

[Poodlemum]

Can I hijack the post a bit? Here’s our forecast and I’ve got almost fully feathered out WTB at 4 weeks and a trio of chicks at 3 weeks in with them. 250w red lamp and mama heat pad I side a greenhouse style hoop coop (I still need to add the shavings, thinking maybe they’ll go out tomorrow)

 

[3KillerBs]

Can I hijack the post a bit? Here’s our forecast and I’ve got almost fully feathered out WTB at 4 weeks and a trio of chicks at 3 weeks in with them. 250w red lamp and mama heat pad I side a greenhouse style hoop coop (I still need to add the shavings, thinking maybe they’ll go out tomorrow)


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Brrr!

 

[Iluveggers]

Due to the wonderful generosity of one of our members here, I now have a Producer's Pride brooder plate, which I'm setting up for tonight (which is only going to be in the 50's).

I'll use the lamp and the plate together tomorrow night and Sunday night for insurance.

I'm deeply, deeply grateful.

That is so awesome. With all the things going on in the world right now, I’m so happy to hear a story of generosity and kindness.

 

[Poodlemum]

Brrr!

I am very VERY done with winter

 

[Aunt Angus]

Due to the wonderful generosity of one of our members here, I now have a Producer's Pride brooder plate, which I'm setting up for tonight (which is only going to be in the 50's).

I'll use the lamp and the plate together tomorrow night and Sunday night for insurance.

I'm deeply, deeply grateful.

That's AMAZING!!!! Thank you to the helpful and generous BYCer!