Another stupid broody hen question...

[triplepurpose]

In the early days, they'll be spending most of their time under mama, especially if it's cold out. If it's really cold--and dark--she may be reluctant to get off the chicks. There's a reason why hens usually wait till spring to brood. What are your temps like right now, and how sheltered are they? Also, is it possible that they have come out to eat and drink briefly and you just haven't seen them do it?

As long as your sure all the chicks are fully dried out, I would say you could move them to their new pen any time...just work fast and keep them protected if it's cold...

 

[Cynthia12]

Yep, moved mine from the coop that we had a shelter place for her. Put her and her babies in the nursery hutch. I just put a 75 watt bulb out there, because I close it up completely with a tarp. Boy, she went for the food when I put her in, and those babies were right in there with her while she was clucking away, calling them to it. Then she went right under the light, and the babies went right under her. Tooo cute!

 

[Happy Chooks]

She's probably showing them food and water when you're not there. Watch the water level. I had to do this with my broody.

 

[brandislee]

I am pretty sure they're eating now- watching the water and food levels isn't very helpful at the moment- they are still in the coop with all the other chickens, who keep eating out of the smaller feeder and drinking from the small water that I put out for the chicks. And now, since it snowed yesterday, I don't know if I want to move them. They're more protected from the elements in the coop, and letting the other chickens free range isn't really an issue because NONE OF THEM WILL SET FOOT OUTSIDE! And none of the chickens is really bothering the chicks, so I have no reason to move them at the moment. I do, however, have motivation now to get my second coop finished. They're going to go crazy in that little coop if they won't go outside.