Orphaned chicks

[MsKaren]

We have one cochin/Rhode Island Red bantam chick that is 7 weeks old and three Easter Egger chicks that are 3 weeks old. They have lived outside their entire lives, raised by a silkie hen. Unfortunately, the silkie passed away today. The daytime temperatures are in the 50s and drop to the 40s at night. We have one broody hen who has shown no interest in the chicks, while another hen seems indifferent but has allowed one of the chicks to sleep under her at night. Should I bring the chicks inside at night, or are they okay to stay outside?
Thanks so much!!!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

When you say they live outside, what's that look like? Are they already integrated with older hens? Separate but just lost their heat source (sorry about the loss.)?? The older one is likely just fine and my 4 week olds have been out since week2, same temps, but they do have a heat plate to get under at night...

 

[MsKaren]

When you say they live outside, what's that look like? Are they already integrated with older hens? Separate but just lost their heat source (sorry about the loss.)?? The older one is likely just fine and my 4 week olds have been out since week2, same temps, but they do have a heat plate to get under at night...

Thanks! They live in a coop and run. When we got the ee's at about 2 days old, we put them outside immediately with the silkie (she loved babies). It was 70s and 80s at that time though. The 7 week old was born outside. Unfortunately we only have 2 hens but they are integrated.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I'd leave them with the flock if you really think they're safe with the 2 adults. But I'd also give them a heat plate, ceramic lamp, something for a warm zone. Even if for just a week or 2, in these temps. I've been watching to see if mine even use the heat anymore and last night at lock up I saw that they still do.

 

[MsKaren]

Thank you so much. I'll do that now

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Thank you so much. I'll do that now

They're super cute, Enjoy!

 

[rosemarythyme]

They'll probably be fine staying out with the flock (I'd want to avoid having to reintegrate at all costs) and without heat as the younger ones can snuggle up to the older one but yes a heat plate or heating pad w/o shut off would give them the option of a warm area at night if they feel they need it.

If running heat out would be difficult you could probably bring the youngest in at night for another week but I'd otherwise have them out with the others all day.

 

[rural mouse]

I had a lone chick hatch under a broody. Raised with the flock (rooster tidbit for mama who tidbit for baby). Both mama and rooster were killed when baby was 3 weeks old (stray dog). She was integrated with the flock, so I have her a warming zone and left her with them.

She's now flock queen

 

[MsKaren]

They'll probably be fine staying out with the flock (I'd want to avoid having to reintegrate at all costs) and without heat as the younger ones can snuggle up to the older one but yes a heat plate or heating pad w/o shut off would give them the option of a warm area at night if they feel they need it.

If running heat out would be difficult you could probably bring the youngest in at night for another week but I'd otherwise have them out with the others all day.

Thank you!!! We had reintergrate once and it wasn't fun at all. The littles did try to get under the older one and she tipped over. To be honest it was pretty funny. I put the heat plate in the coop and after about 15 minutes they figured it out. Fingers crossed