Hatch date is later than ideal. If free-range rearing of chicks, then they will be small when hawks are moving. Then they will be going into winter small. Younger chickens much less able when weather is very cold. i have had games hatch chicks in the coldest parts of winter that Indiana can throw at you. The biggest problem once chicks hatched is keeping them fed. Those had to be fed ground feed and kept in manger area of barn until ground became ice free. Forage is not as easy to find for chicks that must balance nutrition with staying warm and dry. Hen needs to brood more when temperature low and chicks need to eat more when cold. The efforts conflict.Im not sure if this is the right thread to ask this on, but today I found one of my hens hidden nests in the barn. I'm really excited about it because if this breed starts laying eggs it's going to go broody . I'm a little concerned if I should add more wild hatching eggs to the nest or just leave it alone, and let her try hatching out her own eggs. Also is it too late in the year for chicks?
Thanks.