Broody in November?

[JCOP]

I have a Maran that is broody. This is her first time. My only concern is it's November. Has anyone else had this happen? How was the hatch?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It can go well, or it can go bad. Depends on how cold your winters get, how many end up hatching, how many she's sitting on and how good of a mother she is

 

[kerbotx]

I had a December broody once, with a Black Copper Maran, it was her first time going broody. I brought her in the house for the duration, as I didn't have a brooder built in the coop back then. I don't think she rotated the eggs properly, and she almost never left her nest - only 2 hatched, but they were perfectly healthy, one boy, one girl.

I don't think the time of year presents much more challenge than usual. Does she have her own space, away from the others? She might do better in a nest that is enclosed more, that will hold onto more heat & humidity, but you have to weigh that against the risk of frostbite in your area.

 

[JCOP]

It can go well, or it can go bad. Depends on how cold your winters get, how many end up hatching, how many she's sitting on and how good of a mother she is

Right now its getting about 30 degrees at night. Weather in West Virginia have been so random these past few years. One year you can wear shorts on Thanksgiving and the next its so cold you don't want to go outside. She is sitting on 9 eggs .

 

[aart]

I let a broody hatch during a frigid winter, it worked out OK but was a lot of work for me and I would not recommend it.

Just because a bird goes broody, doesn't mean you have to let her hatch.

 

[DobieLover]

Just because a bird goes broody, doesn't mean you have to let her hatch.

This ^.

I would break her.
If she is a determined broody, she'll go broody again when the weather is more conducive to raising chicks. YOU are the one managing the flock, not her.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

My broodies' eggs hatched 3 days ago. I think if you want to hatch eggs in winter you have to have a plan. But if you don't know how you're gonna deal with the chicks, don't give her eggs.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

It was a 100% hatch rate, and the chicks are doing well outside. How cold is it there during the day? For me it's around 10°C
Also think about the hens, broodies don't eat as much, will they be able to deal with the weather?

 

[Angel07]

It depends on a couple of things. Do you want more chicks? Are you willing to look after mum and babies if needed? Do you have the stuff set up to house them so they're not too cold? If you answer yes then you could try. If you answer no then break her.

 

[JCOP]

For me I don't mind the extra work taking care of her and the chicks. I've always hatched in the spring and summer just never this late in the year. I have a spare coop I use as a brooder so I'm just going to turn it into her own private chicken palace and see how it goes. Thanks everyone for the input. .