Advice needed!

[HurstFarmHens]

Hi there,
Basically, my bantams recently became broody and last night hatched some chicks. I have never experienced chicks being born a 'natural way' and have only ever used the incubating method. I live in England and the weathers pretty atrocious at the mo, additionally the bantams coop they're kept in isn't really a coop, we aim on buying one for them but my other coops are occupied by other breeds of chickens. So it isn't really ideal, i'm a bit worried about rats aswell, we haven't had any incidents yet but noticed some hole/ passage things beneath it. I really to want to risk my little chicks safety. With the weather and not ideal coop will they be ok? Or should i take them inside and put them under a heatlamp? The broodies are doing fantastic jobs looking after them, so should i just leave it all and stop fussing? Sorry if sounding a bit mad! i'm just a worrier!
Thanks in advance

 

[my sunwolf]

I'm not sure about a broody raising chicks this late in the season. I think it all depends on what kind of a mother she is and what kind of cold and predators you have. If it is much below freezing, that might be too cold. Something I've heard people do is to construct an indoor pen for the mother and her chicks for the first week or so, if you can deal with adult chickens in your house

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have a large dog crate or cage that could be modified with 1/2 inch hardware cloth and some plastic sheeting to go around the bottom ? That could be placed in a basement or garage for 2 weeks or so until the little ones are stronger. Broodies are very good with their little ones, but rats can get to the chicks without 1/2 hardware cloth. Last January I put a heatlamp out for my broody in the small coop for her babies, but just for a short time.

 

[Peeps4me]

I have a broody and her chicks in my garage with a heat lamp since the weather is so bitter cold right now. They are doing great and don't all try to get under her for warmth with the supplemental heat. There are 12 chicks with a Silkie broody so I was worried about her not being able to keep them all warm in my coop. Also, I get to spend more time watching them so it's a win/win situation for me. Good luck with your winter hatch.

 

[Wyandotte103]

I am not an expert, but I read about a method where you put them in a rabbit cage with no bedding and put them where they can look at the others. If that doesn't work, do the same thing but hang the CAGE from the ceiling. It sounded like it worked. I think you should try it.