Broody raising chicks now?

[ChickenGirl555]

I have been hoping my frequently broody Buff Orpington, Nugget, would go broody in August or early September, but of course, NOW she goes broody. Would it be safe for her to hatch and raise chicks at this time of the year? I have fertilized eggs from my flock and a seperate coop--plus a power outlet very close to the broody coop in case of the need for a heat lamp.

Is there anything else I could/should do to make it possible? I'm really hoping I don't have to wait until Spring for a broody to raise chicks.

 

[chickens really]

Definitely she will keep them warm so just try it.

 

[aart]

You won't need a heat lamp, unless she abandons the chicks and you have to brood them yourself...but you may need to separate her with wire from the flock.
Not sure you have space for that...or more chicks?
You ever get that bigger coop built?
If so, the old coop would be a prefect broody coop.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

You won't need a heat lamp, unless she abandons the chicks and you have to brood them yourself...but you may need to separate her with wire from the flock.
Not sure you have space for that...or more chicks?
You ever get that bigger coop built?
If so, the old coop would be a prefect broody coop.

We have a second coop she would brood in, and we wouldn't be hatching many chicks. Plus with the promise of boys, we won't be keeping all of them.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Separating broody + chick(s) from flock can be problematic when integrating chick(s) with the flock. I would put a nest on the floor in the main coop and let her take care of everything.

I say nest on the floor because one of mine hatched in a nest, and the chick jumped (fell) down from the nest on a very cold night (single digit). The mother left the nest to shelter her on the floor, and everything turned out alright. If she had had more than one chick, some chick(s) would have died.

I separated those two from the flock and the chick had a difficult time getting integrated with the flock. I don't separate anymore, and integration is seamless.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Separating broody + chick(s) from flock can be problematic when integrating chick(s) with the flock. I would put a nest on the floor in the main coop and let her take care of everything.

I say nest on the floor because one of mine hatched in a nest, and the chick jumped (fell) down from the nest on a very cold night (single digit). The mother left the nest to shelter her on the floor, and everything turned out alright. If she had had more than one chick, some chick(s) would have died.

I separated those two from the flock and the chick had a difficult time getting integrated with the flock. I don't separate anymore, and integration is seamless.

Ok now I have a few questions on this and just in general because you are experienced...
1. Would she leave them as they hatch, like take her eating, drinking, and pooping break? Or would she continue to protect them and sit on them as they hatch? I've heard she speaks to them and encourages them as they hatch.
2. Could I separate the aggressive birds during the lockdown? I have a coop I was originally going to use for the broody, but should they stay in there until the chicks hatch? I have 3 that are particularly aggressive towards chicks...I'm only separating for a lower chance of death, but integration is a big reason I'm using a broody instead of an incubator...
3. If I left the broody in the original coop, when would she have her chicks come out of the coop? Also, would they be able to? It's off the ground but obviously, I have a ladder. I've noticed chicks don't seem to understand ladders very well...

I might have more questions if I remember some, but these are the big three right now. I'd be happy if anybody could help answer them!

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I moved the previous questions to a new thread.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broody-raising-chicks-questions.1275037/