will this work?

[slystr]

to keep my babies warm? I have a thermometer in there now and it is registering 73* F with an outdoor temp of 48*F(according to the Weather Channel).
thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

It need to be 95 degrees inside that thing with no drafts at all. So, I'd say nope, not yet. Honestly, they really should be inside somewhere if you're getting chicks a few days old.

 

[Rooster01]

How old are they? If they are several weeks old that should work fine. Try to put more blankets around them to keep the wind off.

 

[slystr]

these chicks are going to be 5 weeks old on Monday. I forgot to mention that. Sorry

 

[Emchick]

nice set up

 

[speckledhen]

Well, that does make a difference! Still, you need to be sure they don't have drafts blowing through.

 

[Rooster01]

Quote:
73* is a little cold for 5 week old chicks IMO. But as long as the wind is off of them, they will be OK.

 

[slystr]

Quote:
they have been in an unheated attached garage that has gotten down to the mid 60's for the last 2 weeks with no heat lamp and they have been seemingly ok.
I'm just worried that in the brooder they are picking on each other and are getting very crowded even though I have seperated them into 2 rubbermaid bins.

 

[slystr]

will they be smart enough to find food & water then go back to the warm space at night?

 

[Rooster01]

Quote:
Probably yes, Chickens are pretty smart and will try to find the warmest spot to sleep at.
They might need a little help but they will learn where to go after a day or two.