Benefits to a broody hen

[mommissan]

It was -20 F last night and my eggs were nice and hot under my broody hen. Last time it dipped down that low, no one was broody so my eggs were frozen solid and the shells were split open. Even better yet, my rooster was all snuggled into the nest box with her. They've got this winter thing figured out!

 

[StarLover21]

Are you trying to hatch some chicks?

 

[stone_family3]

Also, they do all the hard work for you. They do the work and you get cute chicks ;p

 

[mommissan]

Shucks, if only I were hatching chicks.

She keeps my eggs from freezing and splitting in this deep freeze. I'm not patient enough to wait for them to thaw to eat them. I hope she's back in the mood in April when I'm getting some eggs in the mail. I couldn't imagine letting her hatch any now when we have another 3 months of cold weather and snow still to come. Poor little babies would become chicksickles.