Moved them out to the pens. Found on dead this morning

[magikchick]

I moved my babies out to their new pen today and wouldn't you know it, it's raining. I put them in the middle section so they have the most protection. Still it's such a big change for them and now having to be rained on too.

Should I bring them back in? It's warm enought and they are fully feathered. Maybe I'm just a worried mother.

 

[monarc23]

as long as they arent getting soaked (or have the oportunity to go somewhere to not be soaked) they will be fine. You worried mama hen you! LOL

 

[magikchick]

It turns out I had a good reason to worry. One of the tuxs was dead this morning and I have a golden and an A&M that looks bad. I brought them back into the house and I'm giving them some vitimans. I think the stress was too much for them.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Young birds and rain usually don't mix, hope they get better for you.

Steve in NC

 

[magikchick]

I lost another one, the golden male. I can't beleive this. I hatch them and baby them and in one stupid move I loose them. I knew I should have brought them in last night.

 

[Appaloosa Hill Farm]

Oh, no. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sending you "get well quick, babies" vibes.

 

[monarc23]

Did they have shelter from the rain? If they didn't then yes they deffinatly should have been brought in sad to say. Otherwise I really don't believe that the rain hurt them (if they werent getting wet) because heck I put 2 week olds out in their pens with no heat and only a sparse tarp on the top of the pens, and no babies dead ever. I assume these guys got wet or atleast were exposed to drafts from the misting rain?

 

[NotTheMomma]

Oh no!! Huge huggles!!!!

I believe they do need protection from the sun/rain/etc. Whether it's a wooden box within their cage, or a top over the entire cage. Mine are in an aviary setting, and I put an igloo dog house in there, as well as the tall grass. Filled the dog house with hay, and the other day when it was raining, they were all buried in the hay! I thought they had found a way out, and were gone! LOL!

Best of luck with the remaining ones! I bet if they get dried, and warmed up, they'll start eating soon.

 

[magikchick]

Quote:
They were completely sheltered from the rain. I had them in the middle of a three compartment pen. I really think they stressed out. From now on I'll only leave my babies out during the day and bring them in at night till they get use to it.

 

[chickenannie]

How old are they?

Also, the ground might be wet, even if they are protected from rain coming in above. Wet ground is a big no no if they are first-time out.

One way per Joel Salatin to deal with a sudden downpour on first time chicks outside, is to run out with hay and put down slices of hay to get them up off the wetness. I've tried it in a pinch and it works great.

Get heat on them too, if they've been damp and chilled, the heat will help them dry off.