thunderstorm power outage with 3 day old chicks!

[luvmychicks79]

We just had a thunderstorm about a half hr. ago and the power went out, my husband called the to see when the power is supposed to come back and they said not until later tonight. My chicks brooder is in the kitchen and the heat lamp, of course, went out too! Thank God it's summer, but its still only 76 degs. in our house, maybe cooler. For now I took a cleaned out milk jug and filled it with pretty warm water to set in the brooder, so they can be close to warmth. Any other suggestions? Will they be ok without 90-100deg. for a couple hrs.? Should I put a flashlight over the brooder so they can see their food and water and for comfort?

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I keep a blanket beside the brooder for just such occasions...we live in the mountains and it takes the power co. forever to get to us.

Cover the brooder with a heavy blanket. DO use the flashlight...remember, they won't eat without light. They should be alright

 

[luvmychicks79]

Thank you! I just put blankets around and flashlight over their food dish, I wish i would have tried to trap the warmth sooner! They are huddled together in the corner

My husband gets back from milking in an hr. Do you think we should run the generator if the power doesn't come back soon? Just looked in on the chicks they are eating and drinking....that's a good sign. How long is too long without sufficient heat?

 

[VioletandBodie]

fill water botles with warm water (not to hot) and place them in the brooder for the chickss to hudle agenst (also keeping a generator a hand is a good thing. along with bater powerd mitten warmers and heater typ iteamss you dont need to plug in) good luck

 

[Denninmi]

Huddling is a sign they are chilled, and chilled leads to death if not corrected soon at that age. You really need to warm them up as soon as possible. If you have a generator, by all means use it. Otherwise, keep filling jugs or jars with hot water until you can get the temp in there up to at least 95 and they stop huddling.

You probably could put them into something a lot smaller for the time being, just to warm them quickly and minimize the area you have to heat.

 

[luvmychicks79]

Thanks for the good advice! The power came back on at about 10:30 pm lastnight. All is well with the little ones