Will my chicks be ok?

[Mamatomany123]

I currently have 10 older hens and 4 5-6 week old chicks. The chicks and hens have been in the run with no problems. Our weather has been high 70s/low 80s. We were 85 yesterday. Chicks have been off of heat for about a week or so. We are 30 today and snowing (west texas weather for ya). Will the younger chicks be ok? Theure running around the run but not sure if I should turn on their heat source or leave them be.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

I currently have 10 older hens and 4 5-6 week old chicks. The chicks and hens have been in the run with no problems. Our weather has been high 70s/low 80s. We were 85 yesterday. Chicks have been off of heat for about a week or so. We are 30 today and snowing (west texas weather for ya). Will the younger chicks be ok? Theure running around the run but not sure if I should turn on their heat source or leave them be.

I don't know, but 85 to 30 degrees in one day doesn't seem healthy.

 

[Ada06]

I currently have 10 older hens and 4 5-6 week old chicks. The chicks and hens have been in the run with no problems. Our weather has been high 70s/low 80s. We were 85 yesterday. Chicks have been off of heat for about a week or so. We are 30 today and snowing (west texas weather for ya). Will the younger chicks be ok? Theure running around the run but not sure if I should turn on their heat source or leave them be.

I am no expert but if they are acting like they are ok then I would assume they are fine. But I live in Michigan so the weather is usually cooler here. If you are really worried you could set it up in the run as an optional thing but I would leave them be. Good luck!

 

[tigger19687]

Turn it on just to be safe. It can't hurt and if they don't need it they won't get close to it

 

[Mamatomany123]

I think they'll be ok. If you want, you can leave them inside or wherever you left them for 4-7 more days while they finish feathering out, but I think they'll be fine.

I brooded them in the coop but they did have heat before I slowly removed it. They hated being locked up after they got a taste of outside

 

[WAchickychicky]

I would make a fire-proof area to have a small draft free section where the chicks can choose to get out of the wind/snow and warm up with a very secure heat lamp. Or even a draft free area in the run, I know mine will only go into the coop at night, so during winter storms, I make a draft free area in their covered shed where they hang out all day.....even though the coop would definitely be warmer lol

In my opinion, 5-6 weeks is young to be in the cold/snow, especially if they were in the 70/80s for most of their life. But I am a softie chicken owner!

 

[Mamatomany123]

I don't know, but 85 to 30 degrees in one day doesn't seem healthy.

Our weather is seriously so bad. We get down to the negatives in winter. To 120 in summers. And right now we go from 80 to 30 within a few hours. We're going to be in the 80s again on Wednesday. Its ridiculous

 

[Mamatomany123]

I'm sure they'll be fine as long as they are feathered out.

They are 90% feathered out. Still some fuzz but most feathers.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

They are 90% feathered out. Still some fuzz but most feathers.

I think they'll be ok. If you want, you can leave them inside or wherever you left them for 4-7 more days while they finish feathering out, but I think they'll be fine.

 

[Chicken Heel]

My last two broods were moved out to their coops on 90 F degree days and two days later it was in the mid 40's F and they did fine with no supplemental heat. And they were only about three weeks of age. It hardens them up.