HELP HELP PLEASE HELP

[Alecia]

I hope someone is online this late. Here's the problem, yesterday I took my 4 week old chicks out to my back porch where their "intermediate" coop is located. No sooner did I get them moved in than a violent thunderstorm moved through our area with a cold front behind it. They are outside in about 56 degree weather. I stayed outside with them through the storm and kept them warm and comfortable until about 4:30 am. Today was much cooler than yesterday and it is just plain cold out right now. They were fine all day until it got dark. They began crying so I took my pillows to sit on, and an old winter coat to cover my legs and a flannel shirt to cover them. They rushed to get on my lap, and again I got them warmed up. The problem is, it is just too painful for me to sit there for and extended period of time. So after about an hour I got up and came back into the house because my hips and legs and backside hurt so much. The thing is, they settled down and got quiet after their first agitation at being moved. I took a peek at them and they are sitting beside the pillows and a nestled into the shirt and coat. SHould I go back out there with them and just lie down in the coop to help keep them warm. I would do that if I have to. I don't want them to get sick. I am scared to death. Right now they are not making any sounds and are sleeping. Please help me. Does anyone know what I should do. I can't bring them back in because their first pen has been put into their new pen to help make the new pen more famililar. I will be waiting for a reponse. I hope someone is there.

Cold and scared in PA

Alecia

 

[birdlover]

I'm here! Gosh, could you bring them in and put them in the bathtub (newspaper and/or shavings first)? Or just put them in a cardboard box inside? How old are they by the way? I'll wait for your reply!

Ellen

 

[Keshiaandadam]

I can give you an answer here but if you call my business phone i am a poultry Farm i will help you out call now if you want 1-802-447-3012 my name is andrew

 

[MayberrySaint]

Can you put a heat lamp with them by using an extension cord? How many do you have? How about throwing some old towels in the bathtub and let them sleep in there?

 

[Critter Crazy]

Cant you put a Heat lamp in for them???

 

[drafthorse39]

i would get a heat lamp out there like the others suggested. After you are positive they are safe, fed, and warm and they are STILL crying don't give in and go back out there because then they expect your presence whenever they call and i'm sure you can't do that everytime. Good Luck!

 

[Jsto]

Are they safe from drafts? Or are they in a wired brooder? I'd say keeping them blocked from the cold drafts is the most important. If you can't get a heat lamp out there and can't bring them in, maybe you could heat a towel in the drier for them to cuddle up in. That's just a random thought that came to me. Not sure how well it would work or how soon the heat would leave the towel(s), but I would think that if they were cuddled in, their own body heat combined with the towel heat would stay in their little 'cuddle huddle.'

That could be a completely useless idea, but I know what it's like to panic and thought I'd throw it out there!

 

[MTchick]

My neighbor said she used to boil water, pour it into a big jug, wrap the jug with a light weight towel or sheet, and then put it in the coop on cold nights. The chicks snuggle up around the towel and the slowly cooling water keeps it nice and warm. This was before she had electricity (she is very elderly- raised chicks in the 1920's) and that is how they kept the chicks warm when they were little. You could do this too for tonight- just find a big jug, fill it with really hot water, and toss an old blanket over it inside the coop. They should be happy that way.


-MTchick

 

[Alecia]

How wonderful you all are. First, they are 4 weeks old, there are six of them and they are very close to each other, they sleep in a pile all of the time. And I have given in to them already and they do have me trained. I feel so awful for them, I can't believe how deeply attached I have become in only three weeks. They are healthy (so far) happy RIRs and little rose cuddles up under my neck or sits on my shoulder every time i go out into their pen to sit with them. They are currently in a large pen inside a screened in porch. I have lowered the blinds on the porch "window " that faces them. I am going to scour the house looking for extension cords that will reach as I do have two space heaters. If I could bring them in I would. The bathtub won't work in this situation, I don't have a cardboard box big enough and there is an attack cat that lives here (she constantly is on the hunt, I have them separated until the girls are big enough to kick her butt. God, I wish this was a chat room. Waiting for all of your helpful advice seems like forever at a time like this. I think that I hear them crying again. I am going to go check. they are currently almost completely feathered and are huddled together on a winter coat and flannel shirt. I will be right back after I go see how they are doing. Maybe just one more night out there would be okay? I know that I can keep them warm, Thankyou all for being there. I can't tell you what it means.

Be back soon!!!

Alecia

 

[Jsto]

There is a chat room on here, not sure if anyone is in though! On the forum index, you'll see the chat link. I'm not very experienced, but can offer moral support if you need it!