URGENT!! Temp. drops down into the 30s

[alwaysthere4chickens]

Our chicks are about 5 and 1/2 weeks old. Tonight is their first night out in the coop according to my mom, I am worried sick because tonight, it drops down into the 30s. My mom wants to make the chicks more hardy, but I don't know. Is it OK for the chicks to be in the coop tonight, or should I put them back into the brooder?

 

[viennaproto]

Do not leave those chicks out tonight in those temperatures! They are still babies- developing feathers. They would be okay to stay outside over night with a heat lamp at around 40-45 degrees.

 

[Justso]

If they are fully feathered out they should be fine. They need to be inside a coop, draft free. If you're really concerned, put a box tipped on its side and place them inside of there with shavings to help keep them warmer. You can lay a blanket over the opening as well. They'll huddle together and give each other heat. Again, they need to be feathered out. If they're not, I would move them back into the brooder for a little while longer.

 

[alwaysthere4chickens]

Thanks, we are moving them back into the brooder for the night (just in case), But we are going to let them be in the coop tomorrow night. Tomorrow night will be in the 40s.

 

[viennaproto]

Perfect! They will be fine tomorrow night. Maybe provide some shelter with a box or bucket and some hay where they huddle together just in case.

 

[aart]

Much depends on how you've managed the chick heat.
Best to get them off heat by about this time, and keep the brooder room as cool as possible by cracking open a window.

If you're really concerned, put a box tipped on its side and place them inside of there with shavings to help keep them warmer.

Yes!!

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.