Broody hen in winter

[christinethemac]

I have a broody bantam frizzle sitting on 4 fertilized eggs. She's been on them for 10 days now. Temps are starting to hit the upper 20's/low 30's at night. I have two flat panel heaters near the roosts and the coop is staying above freezing so far. There are 5 other bantams in the coop with her. Can I let her hatch them in those temps or will the chicks die? Will the other hens kill the chicks?

 

[sourland]

Several factors involved here. Temperament of the other hens, position of the broody hen in the pecking order, size of the coop. I would be inclined to provide them their own separate area in the coop as 'winter' chicks can get easily chilled.

 

[lazy gardener]

What Sour said. Cold temp brooding brings with it special considerations for the safety of the chicks involved. @Blooie documented a particularly riveting saga of "Scout", her beloved Cockerel who was hatched by a winter broody. He suffered debilitating frost bite to his feet while only days old.

I've broken 2 birds from their broodiness this fall, and will do so if any more choose that path. I'm simply not set up, do not have the desire, nor do I have need for more birds in my flock at this time. In both instances, the broodies were broken in 4 days, using the same procedure. Easy process. Should they choose to go broody in the spring, I'll allow them to do so.