Supposed to be cold tonight.......What would you do?

[ChikeeMomma]

It is supposed to get down to 18 degrees tonight. I have 20 one week old chicks. They are out in the coop with a red 250 watt heat light on them at all times. It is about 2 feet off the ground. It hasn't been this cold out at night -- tonight is the only night that's supposed to be this chilly. Would you put them in a box or bin with the light on them (kinda hold in the heat) as they are in a brooder area, but it is 3x5 and there is chicken wire separating them from my regular laying flock -- so trying to say that it is open aired. I just went in there and they were not all huddled together or anything and they were not right under the light -- kinda on the outskirts. It is currently 25 degrees out, but warmer in the coop. I just don't want to overheat them, either, by putting them in a more confined space (box or bin). What do you think?

 

[bigdawg]

as long as they are not sitting under the light they will be fine. if they are are all bunched up together, then they are to cold. if they look happy then they will be fine.

 

[mdbokc]

As long as they are out of the drafts, 24" from a 250 W Infrared lamp should provide plenty of heat directly beneath it if they feel the need. Just what I would do. But I have also never had chicks out in 18 degree weather. But I have a good idea of the temps of the 250W lamp.

If you place a thermometer on the floor beneath the lamp, you'll know quickly what to do as I suspect the temps will be an easy 85 - 90 degrees at that distance (if not more).

OK, it is already 25 degrees and only 7 more to go. They should be fine.

 

[dieselgrl48]

Well if they seem to be moving away from the heat a little they should be ok.I just put 2 ducklings out today in coop next to OE's with no heat just some hay.Hubby went check on them he said they in one of the nesting boxes so... guess they fine.Im manic I guess I had bird's free ranging basement and in an old playpen for 2 months I hatched on Xmas but they have been out a few weeks now and doing good with just hay bedding.They will huddle if they get cold as long as no really cold draft's and they don't get damp they should be fine.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

Thanks, guys! I think I will check on them before I go to bed tonight just to be sure. It hasn't been this cold at night, but of course, tonight has to be chilly! They were resting in a perfect circle around the outskirts of the light and they weren't bunched up - so at the moment they are toasty enough.