How to tell if they're too cold?

[genhawk21]

[UPDATE] Based on the feedback from everyone I decided they were probably cold, so I put on a space heater in the room they're in and they're much quieter now and seem to like it. Just in case anyone goes searching and finds this later, that's what happened.

I got some chicks two weeks ago, there are two that were about a week old and three that were a few days old. So now they are 2-3 weeks old (approximately). The larger ones have about half their feathers, and the smaller ones are just getting feathers at the shoulder part of their wings. The heat lamp burnt out and I didn't think to get a spare bulb, and with the pandemic going on I don't want to go to a store just for something so trivial.

They are indoors but the house is only about 65-70 degrees. I put some cat heating pads under the tote they're in but that doesn't seem to do much since I think that kind only works if the animal has its weight on the pad to trap the heat. I do have some oil-type space heaters that I could put in the room they're in, but I don't know if I should.

I guess my question is, do they still need more heat? According to the chart they do, but they seem pretty ok. Whenever I go to check on them they are eating, drinking, pooping, trying to fly, jumping on each other, or sleeping on an old towel bar I put in as a roost.

What will they look like if they are too cold? Should I put a heater or leave them alone?

Thanks!

 

[Annastin]

If they are eating and drinking well they should be fine but you should make sure they are ok at night because sometimes they can get pretty cold at night

 

[MountainWoman73]

If they are cold they'll be piling in a heap and sleeping on top of one another. If they are spread out they are probably okay.

 

[Annastin]

And if they are to cold you should hold one to see if he is cold to the touch and if they are to cold also they will all be under the heat trying to keep warm

 

[chrissynemetz]

If they get cold they'll all be huddled up together in a pile as @MountainWoman73 said. They'll also be chirping loudly.

 

[nchls school]

I use a 20 watt bulb in my heat lamp/ household brooder and that's all that is needed for a small number of chicks, Chicks, when cold, puff out what feathers they have, chirp plaintively, and bunch together. Yours do not sound like they are cold. Consider using a small wattage bulb in your heat lamp; 20-60 watt range and adjust the lamp's height accordingly.

 

[genhawk21]

If they get cold they'll all be huddled up together in a pile as @MountainWoman73 said. They'll also be chirping loudly.

Oh gosh, they seem to be chirping loudly all the time! I can't tell if they're bothered by something or just rowdy!

 

[genhawk21]

I use a 20 watt bulb in my heat lamp/ household brooder and that's all that is needed for a small number of chicks, Chicks, when cold, puff out what feathers they have, chirp plaintively, and bunch together. Yours do not sound like they are cold. Consider using a small wattage bulb in your heat lamp; 20-60 watt range and adjust the lamp's height accordingly.

Thank you! I'll look around and see what bulbs I have. They do look a little puffy.

 

[chrissynemetz]

If they're chirping loudly, they need... something. They could be too cold, or too warm. Or hungry or thirsty or... well you get the idea lol
Do you have a thermometer in the actual brooder, or is it just in the room?

 

[genhawk21]

If they're chirping loudly, they need... something. They could be too cold, or too warm. Or hungry or thirsty or... well you get the idea lol
Do you have a thermometer in the actual brooder, or is it just in the room?

I have a digital thermometer gun which is awesome, it let's me "shoot" a temp on any surface. So I'm pretty confident in the actual temps of their space.

I put a space heater on for them and they've quieted down a lot, so I guess they were cold after all! I will update the post. Thanks for the help!