6 week old chicks below freezing temps

[Gypsi]

we have rather extreme cold, not normal for north Texas, currently 15 degrees F, wind chill about -4 F. I have chicks locked in coop with my old birds, and heat lamp on chick side of coop. Only drafts would be edges of east side and around door, top ventilation about 1 inch. They made it thru last night ok, I took hot mash (layer pellets and hot water) out for all of them this morning - 4 dishes of it, they have their Start n grow on their side of the coop divider by the heat lamp. I'm worried, temps will be about 13 degrees here again tonight, don't clear freezing until at least Friday noon I think. I know my chickens don't need that heat lamp, but the chicks are not that big. 6 weeks old and fully feathered. Lamp hangs from a chain far from the straw but low enough to heat their feeding area. Last night they perched on the lower 2 bars of perch near the light.

 

[Noraaaaa]

we have rather extreme cold, not normal for north Texas, currently 15 degrees F, wind chill about -4 F. I have chicks locked in coop with my old birds, and heat lamp on chick side of coop. Only drafts would be edges of east side and around door, top ventilation about 1 inch. They made it thru last night ok, I took hot mash (layer pellets and hot water) out for all of them this morning - 4 dishes of it, they have their Start n grow on their side of the coop divider by the heat lamp. I'm worried, temps will be about 13 degrees here again tonight, don't clear freezing until at least Friday noon I think. I know my chickens don't need that heat lamp, but the chicks are not that big. 6 weeks old and fully feathered. Lamp hangs from a chain far from the straw but low enough to heat their feeding area. Last night they perched on the lower 2 bars of perch near the light.
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Your setup sounds good! THey may be a little cold, but they are fully feathered. The heat lamp will help them and hot mash is good! You can add some extra shavings in and mabey throw some old blankets or towles somewhere in the coop.

 

[Gypsi]

I added 4 inches of straw the other day. Went out after 2 hours just now and no ice on their water (I was carrying a pitcher of hot water an a clip on thermometer) It would be easier to leave them out there and the house dog crate is not really big enough for 8 chicks

 

[Noraaaaa]

I added 4 inches of straw the other day.

Okay good!

Went out after 2 hours just now and no ice on their water (I was carrying a pitcher of hot water an a clip on thermometer) It would be easier to leave them out there and the house dog crate is not really big enough for 8 chicks

Do you have a heated water?

 

[Yardmom]

They will be fine. They could handle it without the heat lamp, but I'm sure they appreciate it

 

[Gypsi]

Okay good!

Do you have a heated water?

no. I have a run out and check on chicks carrying water pitcher with warm water every couple of hours. In a longer freeze I used my mini crockpot, keeping water in its lid but I think the heat lamp is more important, no power in coop, one extension cord available. Crockpot lid ran out of water with just big birds. Sticking with the pitcher

 

[Gypsi]

They will be fine. They could handle it without the heat lamp, but I'm sure they appreciate it

heat lamp is helping keep water thawed for longer too

 

[Noraaaaa]

no. I have a run out and check on chicks carrying water pitcher with warm water every couple of hours. In a longer freeze I used my mini crockpot, keeping water in its lid but I think the heat lamp is more important, no power in coop, one extension cord available. Crockpot lid ran out of water with just big birds. Sticking with the pitcher

okay! that sounds good!

 

[Gypsi]

All the chicks came flying out of the coop and into the run this morning, grabbing drinks of water and bites to eat, they did very well in our cold temps. We will be above freezing today and I might leave the heat lamp on tonight if below freezing, just because thawed water is nice. Warmer days are coming. Thank you everyone

 

[spiceholler]

i'm in the same boat. my chicks are 6 weeks old, it's March 18 and we're still having some freezes at night...about 30 degrees but I'd like to put them into their nursery coop and get them out of the house. they are fully feathered and there's 13 of them that will likely be able to keep themselves plenty warm. their nursery coop is about 3'x3'x3' (they have a run as well) and I think I'm just going to divide out a section with wire mesh on top then hang the heat lamp over that giving them the option to snuggle in if need be.

I'm a little nervous but I think it should be fine.