Can you keep chicks outside in the winter?

[Ruby Mia]

My bantam hen has just gon broody and I'm not sure if I should let her hatch because it's winter and last time she left the chicks at a young age, but lucky one of my other hens raised them with her chick. I'm worries that the chick wound die because it's soo cold outside. What do you think?

 

[sumi]

I've had broody hens raise chicks outside in winter with no problems or losses. The chicks ran around in all temperatures and when they felt cold they crawled under Mom for a warm up, before running off again. They didn't seem bothered by the cold at all. By the time the chicks are fully feathered (6-7 weeks) they should be fine without Mom. I'd say let her hatch some for you and see how it goes.

 

[Ruby Mia]

Thanks for the reply! it was great help!

 

[ourFRUGALfarm]

It's funny how resilient chicks are. They seem so small and fragile but they really are tough. I have done the same as sumi. It was really cold then so in my hen house I hung a heat lamp over my laying boxes high enough it wasn't to hot. This provided some warmth and I found that it enticed my hens to stay in the laying boxes. I also noticed an increase in eggs but it could have been coincidental? Anyhow like sumi said take a chance and just keep an eye on her.

 

[Ruby Mia]

That's great to hear, thanks!

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

A friend of mine had a hen hatch out 6 baby chicks in the barn while it was snowing outside and she raised every one them, no fatalities.