Crap. I forgot to put my animals up until after dark tonight, and when I went out it was raining and 42 degrees. I have 6 1/2 week old silkie chicks who spend their days in a pen on the dirt & grass, with the top half of a dog house for shelter (sitting on dirt--makes it easy to transport). At night they get locked in a cozy shed with a wood floor bedded with straw, no drafts. However, tonight they were out in the rain and got damp--not wet, just damp--before going under their dog house lid. When I went out for them, they were eager for me to put them up in their warm shed!
They were not acting chilled, but I'm worried because they all have damp feathers (which they were beginning to preen after I put them up). I don't know how cold it's supposed to get tonight, but it's bound to continue to get chillier. Do I need to bring them in and dry them under a lamp? Or will they dry out just fine in the shed, preening themselves and nestling in the straw?
A quick answer is appreciated, so I can go ahead and get them indoors (what a pain--I'll have to bring in the brooder and set it up--ugh--but of course it's worth it if necessary) before I go to bed.
Thank you!!
They were not acting chilled, but I'm worried because they all have damp feathers (which they were beginning to preen after I put them up). I don't know how cold it's supposed to get tonight, but it's bound to continue to get chillier. Do I need to bring them in and dry them under a lamp? Or will they dry out just fine in the shed, preening themselves and nestling in the straw?
A quick answer is appreciated, so I can go ahead and get them indoors (what a pain--I'll have to bring in the brooder and set it up--ugh--but of course it's worth it if necessary) before I go to bed.
Thank you!!
