Okay... I'm freaking out a bit...

[DramaBrahmaMama]

So, I have to drive 2.5 hrs tomorrow to get our chicks. I wasn't ordering enough to be shipped. I'm concerned about keeping them warm on the ride home. Then I just found out that it's going to drop into the 30s Friday. I have a kiddy pool set up with a heat lamp, wood shavings (horse bedding, not cedar) and straw for a brooder in my "she shed" but I'm concerned it still won't be warm enough. Do I just have chick nerves???? It's been about 6 yrs since I've done this... Why can't I remember anything???

 

[Texasclucker]

So, I have to drive 2.5 hrs tomorrow to get our chicks. I wasn't ordering enough to be shipped. I'm concerned about keeping them warm on the ride home. Then I just found out that it's going to drop into the 30s Friday. I have a kiddy pool set up with a heat lamp, wood shavings (horse bedding, not cedar) and straw for a brooder in my "she shed" but I'm concerned it still won't be warm enough. Do I just have chick nerves???? It's been about 6 yrs since I've done this... Why can't I remember anything???

i think they will be fine I had a light on chicks up way higher than that and it got pretty cold and they were all just fine!

 

[Hannahnic14]

You've got this!! I would maybe take some hand warmers with you to pick them up if your concerned about the drive home You're set up looks great and they'll be plenty warm!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would maybe take some hand warmers with you to pick them up if your concerned about the drive home

x2 on the hand warmers, those should easily stay warm for the duration of the drive.

Or just crank up the heat in the car, and everyone wear shorts to compensate.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I put my heater on in my SUV and aim it down on the passenger side. Then I put the chicks on the floor. Keeps em nice and warm. But handwarmers are a great idea!!!!

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

So, I have to drive 2.5 hrs tomorrow to get our chicks. I wasn't ordering enough to be shipped. I'm concerned about keeping them warm on the ride home. Then I just found out that it's going to drop into the 30s Friday. I have a kiddy pool set up with a heat lamp, wood shavings (horse bedding, not cedar) and straw for a brooder in my "she shed" but I'm concerned it still won't be warm enough. Do I just have chick nerves???? It's been about 6 yrs since I've done this... Why can't I remember anything???

That's good and on the car ride if you have a seat put a seat Warmer on you'll do fine.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Gotta say I'm a little jealous you get to pick them up. I have to have my geese shipped this summer even though the hatchery is about 3 hours away. Seems like such an unnecessary risk to ship them overnight.

Congrats on your soon-to-be new chicks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you have a space heater you could use in your shed for the first couple days? Just to give you some assurance?

 

[NatJ]

I have a kiddy pool set up with a heat lamp... but I'm concerned it still won't be warm enough. Do I just have chick nerves????

I expect they will be fine, but checking with a thermometer may reassure you.

If one area is always "too cold" and another area is always "too hot," the chicks can always find somewhere comfortable in the middle.

If you are expecting the outdoor temperature to change drastically, I would try to have the side away from the lamp be nice and cool (below 70 but above 32.) Under the lamp should be at least 90 degrees, but up to 100 or so is fine. (Note: if the entire brooder is 100 degrees, you will have dead chicks from overheating. But it is fine to have a small area at 100 degress, that they can walk in and out of.)

I gave temperatures in Fahrenheit. For Celsius, I would want the cool side below 20 but above 0, the warmest spot between 32 and 38. Those numbers are approximate, not precise limits.

 

[sybonbon]

If someone is going with you, your warm hands in the box helps alot. My husband drove and I held the box on my lap and put my hand in. They all pushed against my hand and fell asleep.