It has to be too cold tonight

[Eris]

It was terribly cold in West Texas last night, horrible rain (rain? It rains here??), but I was thoroughly convinced I would see dead 4-week old chicks this morning in my coop. But they were all fine and healthy. I agree with the conditioning, I think its best to allow them a little feeling of the cold or they wont get used to it. And the quicker and more you do it now, the less worrying you will do later.

 

[teach1rusl]

I'm so glad to see others stressing so much about chicks and the cold too!!

I'm working getting rid of lamp dependency too right now - just bought a 50W bulb today to move down from my 75W.

 

[sadies0111]

I agree that they are old enough to start getting used to cold temps. I got mine last November (i'm in WI), and they were all between 4-8 weeks old. I gave them a heat lamp since it was way below freezing at night, and only 40's during the day. They did great, but in the begining, I checked on them a lot to make sure they seemed okay (not huddling under the lamp).

 

[jmtcmkb]

Quote:
This is very encouraging to me as I will be in same situation in November- may I ask did you keep the heat lamp on all day and night and how long did you keep it going, until spring?

Thanks

 

[Okie Amazon]

I've been a little worried about my young'uns. We went from 101 on Monday to a HIGH of 59 yesterday! Welcome to Oklahoma!

 

[Ksane]

I have Silkies and Cochins also

Mine are 8 and 10 wks. It got down in the 50's here last night, too. Odd after it was 104 last week (Oklahoma). Mine are locked inside a huge dog crate in the coop at night. They stay toasty warm snuggled up next to each other. Maybe try that? I'll probably put a heater out there once it gets under 30 degrees, but that won't be for awhile here. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It'll be a low of 35 F here tonight and if it rains will drop more to freeze what's left to the garden. Perhaps 7 weeks is still too young for that but in general and rule of thumb we don't add heat except to keep the waterer powered to prevent freezing in the run come winter.