Just a little bit worried!

[Tbanner]

Ok I may have a slight problem and need an opinion or two. I have 3, 6 week old chicks and 11, 4 week old chicks in an outdoor brooder/enclosed small coop. The temperature is currently 66° and it’s storming. Will they be ok without any heat source for the night. The power is out and I’m not home to bring them inside. And is it ok to be worried about my chickens. I’m supposed to be all manly and tough and I’m all to pieces over my chickens.

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, of course it’s ok to be worried about your chickens. You definitely came to the right place for that!

So there are 11 chicks total? Is there good ventilation, but no chance for wind to blow directly on them? How feathered out are the younger ones?

If they will definitely stay dry and not have a draft blowing directly on them, I think they will be fine.

When will you get home?

 

[CannedMonster]

I would say that as long as it’s not drafty where they’re at they’ll be okay until you can get home and check on them.
The 6 week olds should be fine.
The 4 week olds might be but when you check on them stop and watch them.
Are they huddled up like they’re cold?
Or are they moving around scratching and chirping without a care?
Let their behavior b your guide.
Even if they’re cold, you can remedy the situation if the power is back on.

 

[JDN]

It’s ok to be worried. But you shouldn’t be worried in this instance, assuming they’re dry.

 

[Tbanner]

I will be home between 5-6 in the morning. They are shut up in the small coop they have been in since they hatched. The ventilation is good and there shouldn’t be a draft. I can’t say for sure though because we had storms and not sure what things are like at home but when I left there wasn’t a draft. And there is a total of 14 chicks.

 

[micstrachan]

I think they will be OK. They will keep each other warm. Are you pretty sure they will stay dry?

 

[Tbanner]

I think they will be OK. They will keep each other warm. Are you pretty sure they will stay dry?

Yes as long as nothing has happen like a tree has fallen on the coop or something of that nature. They aren’t exposed to the weather unless something has happened. They have been through several storms before this is the only one that we have lost power during since I have had them.

 

[Tbanner]

Thanks for the replies I’m feeling a lot better about.

 

[micstrachan]

I still think they will be fine. Are you concerned about the lack of power because they normally have a heat source? If they are used to a heat source, they may get a little chilly, but 66 degrees is pretty warm!

 

[Tbanner]

I still think they will be fine. Are you concerned about the lack of power because they normally have a heat source? If they are used to a heat source, they may get a little chilly, but 66 degrees is pretty warm!

Yes I was worried because that was their first night without a heat source. However, everything was ok and they were laying together when I got there but they all got up and was runnung around and acting like their normal selves once it got day light. Thanks again for the replies. The power finally came back on around 9 this morning.