Just moved outside

[Redbirdacres]

We FINALLY finished up our tractor and moved our BJGs outside today. It's warm, in the 70s, but very windy with some storms likely tonight.

First...they are still all huddled together. Should I be concerned? Moving the tractor into place was an ordeal because they wouldn't move with it. Are they just in shock from the move? Some seem to be moving and eating and drinking but most are all huddled together in a corner. They've been out for a couple hours now.

Second...anything I should do with the incoming potential storms tonight? Rain, some thunder possible etc. The top is covered but the sides are not.

Thanks!

ETA: it's a rough tractor, not great but we're learning as we go

 

[Lor]

They might just be a little scared being newly outside.
What are the temps going to be? Cold and wet makes things go badly.
Watched a homestead video recently where they lost most of their birds because of a storm and I think a post on here recently how they died because of one.
You may want to figure out a way to keep them dry.

 

[samanthaoverton]

Either bring em in or get a large tarp...some people use bales of straw here..you could put bales of straw around as a buffer..

 

[3KillerBs]

The top is covered but the sides are not.

You need to protect them from wind and blown rain.

Is there any chance that rain could run across the ground and make the inside of the tractor wet?

To be blunt, if they're wet and in the wind they could all die.

 

[aart]

Pics of tractor?
How old are chicks, in weeks or months?

 

[Redbirdacres]

Thanks all! Pretty sure we have tarps or plywood we can place around the outside for the storm tonight. They're 7-8 weeks-ish.

Seem to be moving around more now, eating and drinking

 

[Lor]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Redbirdacres]

Thanks friends! All survived the night! Took the front tarp off this morning to give them some fresh(er) air (there's some air flow through the top but still) and will check on the again later whrn its supposed to rain again.