OMG I hardly slept last night...

[brandislee]

I picked up my new babies yesterday, just as this stinkin' winter storm moved in- no snow yet, but it's windy and near freezing. My brooder was all ready and warmed up (with two heat lamps...) when I put the chicks in yesterday and they haven't acted cold at all, but I was so worried all night that as the temp dropped they would get cold. I checked on them this morning and they looked totally fine, but I'm still worried!

I'm just sharing my anxiety, really, I don't have a question or anything Maybe if anyone else in MN/WI or similar climate (or also in this oncoming storm) has their chicks outside, they can share what they do to keep them warm and reassure me that they'll be fine? My main concern is that my brooder is about three feet off the floor and I'm worried that it's a little draftier than if it were on the floor with the older chicks. Later today, mostly to give myself some peace of mind, I'll probably either hang an old blanket over the front of the brooder or bring them inside (but with this wind and with just having put them in the brooder yesterday, I'm just as worried about stressing them by moving them again!). I know I shouldn't worry so much, chicks may die or they may not... I just wish they had a Mama hen to take care of them, then I wouldn't have to worry so much! (next year...)

 

[cackydoodledoo]

I still worry about mine every night and have had them for two weeks now. It's just part of being a chicken momma!!! Our temps have been fluctuating quite a bit. I sometimes take something and cover the open part up a bit to hold in more heat. Biggest thing would be to make sure your brooder is big enough and keep the temp higher under the light that way when it gets cold out it doesn't drop as much but when it's warmer they can move to the other side to cool off. HTH

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Hello, We are finally getting some warm weather here in New England after such a bad winter. I am sorry to hear that you guys are getting another snowstorm. I feel your pain.
I see nobody else relpied to this and so, I figured I would!

EDIT: Someone else replied while I was typing! Haha!

 

[Peaches Lee]

I went through this yesterday. We have built a brooder in the barn because my EEs are getting a bit bored and rowdy in their current set up. So I put them out there, it was about 58 yesterday, and I worried and worried even though they had their heat lamp. So they came back into the house. I still feel that our weather is just too cold still for 3.5 week olds. It has been so stressful for me. I have to practice the mantra "they are just chickens" but it's sooo hard!!

 

[rhs7111]

If they were mine, I'd bring them inside. Better safe than sorry with young chicks. I doubt they'll be terribly stressed from a short move inside, and being warm and draft free is most important.

 

[hispoptart]

I have mine inside, and I slept on the floor last night right next to them. I know the feeling of being worried about them. I to would bring them in if you can.

 

[jimz1]

How many babies? How big is the brooder? As long as there's no draft they should be fine. Make sure the temp isn't too high. A lot of people here can't stress it enough how important that is. As long as they have a place to go when they get too warm, they'll be fine. 2 lights might be too much depending on the size of the brooder.

 

[brandislee]

It's a big brooder- 3 foot by 6 foot for 20 chicks. Two lights is definitely not too much- it's a temporary brooder and has no top, just a really high removable front, so there's nothing to hold the heat in. But I am pleased to report that despite gusting wind and an overnight low of 36, all are fine. It's supposed to be just as cold and windy tonight, so I'm going to hang a blanket over the open side to be sure there are no drafts. Between my vents, no brooder top, and the strong wind (and plenty of space in the brooder for them to escape the lamps) I'm not at all worried about it being too hot.

Thanks for all the encouragement!

 

[fshinggrl]

Mine will be in the laundry room. I can't imagine having them outside. GOod luck!

 

[cackydoodledoo]

Quote:
One thing I do when I know the temp outside is supposed to get low is I check on them right before bed when the temp has already made it close to what it is gonna be. I keep a plastic thermometer in the bottom of the brooder right under the lamp. I just check it and if the temp is ok then I rest easier!!!