baby chicks in winter

[Goldmama]

I'm relatively new to chickens. I got baby chicks in April 2018. After that, I picked up 2 other flocks for free & another rooster w/ his 4 baby chicks & a stray. So I've raised chicks in spring & fall, but now it's winter. I had 2 broody hens so I collected eggs & put them under the hens. Don't worry I put them under on the same day, not 3 a day. 1 clutch should be pipped on Sat & the other on the 10th. I will move mamas out of the unheated barn & coop area when they pip out...OR SHOULD I MOVE THEM OUT THE DAY BEFORE THEY PIP THROUGH? They are being moved to our heated garage with the mamas & I have one heat plate brooder....
DO I NEED TO USE THE HEAT PLATE BROODER IF THE CHICKS ARE IN WITH THE MAMAS?
SHOULD I KEEP THE MAMAS IN WITH THE CHICKS PAST 8 WEEKS?
WHEN CAN THE CHICKS MOVE OUT TO THE UNHEATED BARN?
When we had the other chicks in the fall we kept them in the barn in a small quarantine with a chicken wire door & a lot of hay. Then we let them out to run around the barn with the door shut, then in & outside periodically now we just leave the barn door open.

 

[justin24]

I would just move them to the heated garage until the babies are fully feathered and wat area you in

 

[justin24]

If you can block the nest off day before they are due to hatch because ur hen will not leave the nest for about 3 days to ensure all eggs hatch

 

[sylviethecochin]

Welcome to BYC!

As Justin said, it rather depends on your climate. We Pennsylvanians been having an extremely mild winter and it hasn't dipped below 10 F at all so far this year (at least, not where I live) I would have chicks out with their mother, running around. If you live in Alaska, your weather patterns, and thus, my advice, are going to be a little different.

 

[Goldmama]

I would just move them to the heated garage until the babies are fully feathered and wat area you in

like right now while they're unhatched?

 

[justin24]

like right now while they're unhatched?

No wait till they hatch if u move them now the hen may reject the eggs wait 2 days after the hatch date and move them like I said block the entrance of the nest the hens are in the day before they are due to hatch to keep any babies from falling out and the hen getting off the nest to keep those babies warm

 

[Goldmama]

If you can block the nest off day before they are due to hatch because ur hen will not leave the nest for about 3 days to ensure all eggs hatch

my hens are very friendly. I go take them out by hand 2 x's a day to eat & drink while I guard the eggs against others. they never peck at me or growl. they will let me move the whole nest. I put it in a cardboard box with hay inside of their own nesting boxes. So when time to move I can just pull the whole cardboard box out to move them. but should I move them before they hatch or after? Like will the babies stay under the mom for warmth? We live in Anchorage, AK. And are they to be blocked off so other hens won't get in or so the broody hens won't leave?

like right now while they're unhatched?

okay. I saw your reply of when to move. thank you so much.

 

[Goldmama]

No wait till they hatch if u move them now the hen may reject the eggs wait 2 days after the hatch date and move them like I said block the entrance of the nest the hens are in the day before they are due to hatch to keep any babies from falling out and the hen getting off the nest to keep those babies warm

I see thank you.

 

[Goldmama]

Welcome to BYC!

As Justin said, it rather depends on your climate. We Pennsylvanians been having an extremely mild winter and it hasn't dipped below 10 F at all so far this year (at least, not where I live) I would have chicks out with their mother, running around. If you live in Alaska, your weather patterns, and thus, my advice, are going to be a little different.

We live in Anchorage, AK. so it's cold. this winter has been quite good thus far though.

 

[Criticalicious]

Yes, if mama is taking care of the babies, they will go under her for warmth when they need to. If you can put her in a brooder cage away from other chickens for the first few days, that will help protect them all from the rest of the flock. Every chicken is different though - some will care for babies for months, others will send them on their way after a few weeks.