What does too cold look like?

Airilith

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My 7 week old chicks went outside on Christmas day. The temperatures have been 50 in the daytime and 40 in the nighttime for two days (Fri and Sat). I figured that was about right being as they had 50 degrees in the brooder prior to being moved outside. Sunday was a high of 50 and a low of 38, and Monday was a high of 40 and a low of 37.

This morning they were doing great. Happy and chirping. So 37 definitely wasn't too cold.

Tonight however they are calling for a low of 27. So I went over to check on them about 5 minutes ago. They were cuddled up as usual, snuggled all together on their shelf. Everyone (all 6 chicks) perked up when I opened the door and petted them. They were all warm under their feathers and showed no signs of stress, other than sleepiness.

I used a temp-gun: the outside of the coop was 35, the shavings on the floor of the coop were between 35-40, and the shelf they were all cuddled on was 40-65 degrees (mainly from their body heat).

So after my long tirade, my question boils down to this. What signs should I look for as to being 'too cold?'

Thanks bunches!!
 
Well I've been watching the temperature closely for the last two hours, and it's only dropped 2 degrees (to 33). I've been debating over what to do. But really they should be just fine. Expecially when keeping in mind that they were acting completely normal when I went over there earlier.

I'm probably just too nervous myself.

I would love it someone would post symptoms of 'too cold' for me.
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No rush though. I think I'm going to bed now that I've convinced myself they're okay. BYC is the best sounding board for convincing myself.
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I wish I could help you but my idiot birds sleep in a tree in a snow and ice storm instead of in the coop with other chickens and ducks. If they can snuggle together for warmth they should be fine I would think.
 
Thanks Writer!!! I'm definitely not contending with snow, ice, or sleeping in trees. Haha! I'm totally going to bed now.

Sweet dreams!
 
From what I've read is the each put off about 10 watts of heat, so I think if their cuddled together they should be fine as long as there are no drafts. They coop needs to be vented, but not drafty. I think your chickens are very lucky to have a carring owner looking after them.
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This morning I woke up and checked the weather before I even got out of bed (yay ipod apps) and freaked. It was 24 degrees! I swear from the moment my foot hit the floor until I ran out the door, it couldn't have been more than 2 minutes. Looking back it was most impressive.

I pulled up to the coop to no chicks sitting in the window ... because they were all running around playing. Phew! So 7 week olds can take 24 degrees. Definitely not ideal conditions, but they were all happy as could be this morning.
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