Broody question

[becstalls]

Can a chicken successfully hatch out an egg at this time of year? I have a barred rock that seems to have gone broody. She's only on one egg, and if she can actually hatch out a chick this time of year, I'm thinking of just letting her ride it out. But I have never had a broody chicken before, much less had one hatch out eggs. Tell me what I should know please

 

[math ace]

Quote:
If she is broody is can hatch out eggs. . . .. There is no rule in mother nature that says hens can only hatch eggs at certain times of the year.

 

[Pinky]

If you want her to hatch her eggs and she wants to hatch her eggs then I would let her. As long as she's around, the chicks should be fine

 

[becstalls]

Cool beans! Thanks! If she's successful, should I bring the chicks indoors after they hatch, or will she take care of them? Also, we'll probably be moving before Christmas. All the clucks are coming too (DH and father in law built coop to be moved if necessary, but you need a tilt bed truck). I'm guessing she'll still be on the eggs when we move if she really is broody. Any thoughts on how to move her without making her quit? Could I just put the nesting material, eggs, and her in a cardboard box and move them?

 

[Pinky]

She should care for them quite well, but it depends on the hen. I would let the hen have a go at raising the chicks and see how it goes, but that's up to you

 

[Farm girl 1465]

My 5month old Buff Brahama went broody in September. We let her sit on 2 eggs in the nest box until the first hatched then we moved her and the chick to a floor level nest in a protected area of the coop, the second egg never hatched but she is a happy mama with her one baby who is almost 3 weeks old now. They do not like to be separated and seem to be doing quite well! It is down to 31 degrees this weekend and may snow but she is keeping her baby warm and happy. Good luck