Broody hen in winter

[KasandraPeck]

I have a broody hen and I have 90 eggs incubating inside. Can I slip a few of them under her or is it too cold? East coast Canada. I plan on taking them once they hatch if I do give her some. Just want to for fun but if it’s too cold I won’t bother.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

There are a lot of people on here that let their hens brood in the winter without issue; chickens have been chickening longer than we've been keeping them. If you are just going to take the chicks away after they hatch, I don't see the point in giving the eggs to her.

 

[KasandraPeck]

There are a lot of people on here that let their hens brood in the winter without issue; chickens have been chickening longer than we've been keeping them. If you are just going to take the chicks away after they hatch, I don't see the point in giving the eggs to her.

You think she can take care of it in winter? I’d let her keep it if she can I was just worried about the cold.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Unless you plan on leaving them with her don’t. Hens become protective and very loving of their chicks. She will be distressed for a couple of days if you take them from her after and there is no reason to put their through that if you don’t need to.

 

[nchls school]

Cold weather could easily happen soon for you. Leave the eggs in the incubator.

 

[Yardmom]

Hens can hatch and raise chicks in winter. The biggest challenge I found when my hen hatched chicks in February was making sure they had chick safe water that was not frozen.