Broody hen? ..winter issues?

[PlentifulPrairie]

Hi I think I have a broody hen.
She is only 26 weeks and 3 days. I read hens don't go broody so young? But I think she is? I've never had a broody hen until possibly now. She has been spending all her time in the best box. I take her out and she puffs up, she's incredibly warm on her belly, she doesn't peck at me. But she runs right back to the coop/nest after I've taken her out and made her eat. She puffs up while doing this too. She's a Buff Orpington.

I've been removing the eggs from her, I think other hens are laying them.

She definitely doesn't have any signs of a bound egg, I've dealt with that already a couple times, but not with her.

1. Does this sound broody?
2. It's cold here, freezing temps just started at night, we'll probably have snow in November possibly sooner. Can a baby chick survive winter? Thoughts?

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

She does seem to be broody.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here's a great article about managing broody hens: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rst-turkey-strut-to-weaning-the-chicks.76878/

 

[PlentifulPrairie]

Here's a great article about managing broody hens: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rst-turkey-strut-to-weaning-the-chicks.76878/

Thank you. She definitely was broody, I locked her out of the coop most of day yesterday.. she went back to the nest in the evening but I put her on the roost at night. She seemed to lose interest this afternoon which I'm glad.

 

[Yardmom]

I have had several hens go broody that were under a year old. If they are old enough to lay they are old enough to go broody. Hens (and pullets) can raise chicks in winter. I had a hen raise chicks last February. The biggest challenge was keeping them supplied with chick safe water. One of those chicks is currently sitting on her own eggs.
With a pullet going broody that young I would expect her to go broody again. Maybe next time it will be more favorable weather.

 

[PlentifulPrairie]

I have had several hens go broody that were under a year old. If they are old enough to lay they are old enough to go broody. Hens (and pullets) can raise chicks in winter. I had a hen raise chicks last February. The biggest challenge was keeping them supplied with chick safe water. One of those chicks is currently sitting on her own eggs.
With a pullet going broody that young I would expect her to go broody again. Maybe next time it will be more favorable weather.

I'm hoping so!