How cold is too cold for a broody and two day old chicks??

[mmktdox]

I have a BR who successfully hatched seven eggs, the babies are now 1 - 2 days old, they hatched over a 24 hour plus period. They are all perky and moving around well. My question is this. It's going down to ten degrees celsius tonight (about 50 fahrenheit). Will she be able to keep them warm? They are in wooden coop but she brooded on the floor of the coop, in the corner on some shavings. She has them all under her now, it's almost 9pm. Just wondering if I should put a blanket under/around them somehow? Maybe a heating pad under blanket to keep them warm from underneath? Or just let it be? I don't want to overheat them either. I wish I had some straw or hay to bed them in but I don't have any!

 

[sourland]

Most hens seem to know when their chicks are cold and will hunker down to brood them. The first several days after they hatch are the most important. I would not intervene. She instinctively knows what her job is. You will be amazed at how rapidly the chicks feather out.

 

[mmktdox]

She's definitely hunkered down and has them all tucked under her. I think they'll be fine. It's funny, I've raised quite a few layers and meat birds from day old hatchery stock under a heat lamp but this is the first time I've have a hen go broody so it's new to me. I know she'll take care of them, I just keep questioning things way more than when I do it myself. Apparently I have control issues! The door and window in the coop are closed and she's got them all cozy in her corner so I'll leave her alone and let her do her thing. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Good on the closed door and window. Controlling drafts for the first several days is important. I have had hens successfully raise chicks in the middle of the winter.

 

[mmktdox]

They all survived the night so my fretting was for nothing. Thanks!