Temperature outside...too cold?

[mikarod]

I have 10 week old chicks that I moved outside today. Thing is, the temperature plummeted to 28* and it's only 7:30PM.

Here is a photo of them in their coop:

The coop has windows that have been blocked, and there is a "heat" lamp that doesn't seem to be doing much. I touched it and it didn't burn me...I have a feeling someone switched it with a floodlight or something.

Is it too cold out for them now? They were huddled around the lamp, but as soon as I opened the door, they scattered and went to eating.

 

[Mahonri]

I'd say they'll be OK.

They are beautiful and well feathered out.

 

[mikarod]

That's what I was hoping for. I've never had them in the winter...only in the summer. By the rate their growing though..winter is DEFINITELY becoming my favorite time for raising them.

Thanks Mahonri for the compliment...I looked a long time for them and I guess that's why I'm so protective of them now.

 

[redoak]

I see some gaps between the boards = drafts. At 28 F they should be ok with the light on them but if it gets colder you'll want to get rid of the gaps between the boards.

They are nice looking chickens

 

[MissPrissy]

If they are on bare ground they need some bedding.

 

[BeardedChick]

Could you put in a big box - remove the top and bottom & cut a door in it - put it under the light for a draft guard. The coop does look drafty with the spaces between the boards. The box would help hold in the heat & give them a less drafty place to warm up.

 

[magsrags]

I locked my 9 week olds down in small dog/coop covered in large tarp for the past few days and they're OK so far. Down to about 10 last night. EEK!
I do give them a hot meal each morning + fresh warm water..... We've had sleet/snow/etc. the past 2 days and I worry. Good luck!

 

[mikarod]

It's amazing how much can go wrong when you have a FLOOD light in place of a heat lamp....LOL

 

[mikarod]

THEY MADE IT!!!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Glad to hear it.

Do you have access to hay bales? Seems to me you could stack some around the outside of that pen to cut the wind or maybe drape the outside with some tarps?