When does everyone shut their bators down? Or do you? Thanks to my neighbors, I only have 4 hens left laying, but 3 have went broody. I thought their timing was a bit ridiculous, but they didn't agree with our chicken talk. I'm worried I'm going to have 3 batches of babies freezing outside. I have some EEs from July's hatch outside, August's late hatch still inside. I'm worried about putting them out since the night time temps are dipping pretty low.
i run mine all year, but it gets more tricky to brood them. - dont hatch more than you can easily brood, it takes longer than a month in the winter.
if broody hens are hatching them its different, the hens will keep them just fine most of the time. i had a bantam rock hen hatch 3 out of 4 when the temp was in the teens, and raised them all.