How old are my chicks?

[Naitheninja]

Just got twelve new chicks, and have no idea how old they are. Our heat lamp runs a bit too much electricity for us to use, and I'm trying to find other options, and realized I have no idea how old they are. I do have a pic of them, although I may need a better one.

 

[21hens-incharge]

In that picture they look to be just a few days old. They are less than one week.

Where is your brooder...inside a warm house?
What temperature is it outside if the brooder is not in the human house? Highs and lows.

They REQUIRE added heat in almost every place this time of year.

Where in the world are you located?
We do not need your address just a general location helps us to know your climate.

 

[Mamatomany123]

They look just a few days, so definitely not old enough to be without heat. I've seen others use a heating pad. Not sure how much electricity that pulls though. They do need some form of heat for the next several weeks.

 

[Naitheninja]

First off, I live in southern Colorado, highs are about to 50, lows down to 30. They are in an oversized shed we call our shop, which tends to stay a little warmer than the outside most of the time. They seem to be doing well with the heat lamp, but that, as I originally said, uses too much electicity to run all night.
Our plan is this: We will put them in a box with extra insulation with shavings over it, take it into the house(doesn't get below 60 inside, usually over 65), put a bottle of hot water in each corner covered with a work glove, and then put a heating pad(on medium heat) under the box.
What do you guys think?
Also, thank you for replying!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ditch the insulation, hot water, etc - if you have a heat pad, you can make this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[featherhead007]

More information needed in your situation!

 

[Naitheninja]

I have taken a quick look at that build, and will build it tomorrow, but will have to go with what we have tonight. Little brother may have just broken his thumb, so we now have yet another emergency to deal with.
What information?
Will post update in the morning.

 

[Naitheninja]

Update: Used the described method last night. Put the wee peepers in the box about 9 with hot covered water bottles, refilled the water bottles with hot water at 1, 3, 5 and 8. Chicks seem to have done just fine. I build the tent thing described in the link this morning, and put the chicks in it. They seem to be doing pretty well, although I'm not sure the have figured out that the tent is a source of heat yet.