Need advice

[Jeremy128]

We had some wicked storms roll through that left us without power. I have 6 two weeks old chicks. The temp in the brooder is 85. How low can it go without harming them? The powers been out for about 2 1/2 hours. It's us supposed to be back on within the next 4 hours.
I have a fire going in the fireplace and am considering moving them from the bathroom to the living room to be close to the fire. The problem is two of my kids are sleeping there and we have a cat.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They need to have access to 85 degree temps to stay warm at that age. They also need the ability to get away from the heat.

So what I would do personally is to put a milk jug with hot water inside it wrapped in a rag/towel (so they don't burn themselves) inside the brooder with them for them to snuggle against it. I have done this before and they love it. This is since your power will be back on very soon, and since they are already 2 weeks old. If they were day olds I would just move them to the fireplace. I would check on them frequently and they will chirp if they start to get cold, and huddle together. Then if they do this I'd move them to the fireplace area.

If you have no way to heat up some water or no jug, then I'd move them close to the fireplace but do make sure they are right at the 85 degree mark if you can in terms of how hot it is so they don't cook- chicks can overheat and die very easily. You can put the cat out in the garage or in a bedroom hopefully??

They will be noisy and wake your little ones though, most likely, I am thinking. If you think the milk jug isn't going to keep them warm enough I'd just move them.

 

[Jeremy128]

CAS,
Thank you for your help! His is the first chance I've had to respond. Fortunately, the power came back on and all ended well!