hatching chicks...PLEASE HELP!!!

[goldies99]

i am upstate NY and have been trying to break broody bantams all winter!!!
at what point do you think it is safe to let them hatch chicks... as its still pretty cold up here....thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's got to be pretty darn cold before they can't keep them warm.
I've had broodies hatch down into the low 20s and they were fine.

I take it you didn't use the tried and true elevated wire bottom cage to break them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/947046/broody-in-michigan-winter

 

[goldies99]

Yes!!!...i still have one in the wire bottom cage!...they are just wearing me out....i break them...another one goes broody!....then when i break that one , another one goes broody...i had 3 broody at one time...im running out of cages!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

We used to have about 5 cages hanging from the ceiling of the hen house.

 

[goldies99]

i also dont have roosters, so i would have to get eggs for her to set on....i was also wondering if the eggs stay alive in the cold weather,.dont they have to be collected and brought in fast before they freeze ,before you can try to hatch them,?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

i also dont have roosters, so i would have to get eggs for her to set on....i was also wondering if the eggs stay alive in the cold weather,.dont they have to be collected and brought in fast before they freeze ,before you can try to hatch them,?

I'm upstate-Northern NY too!! Mine are constantly thinking they need to be broody too. If they freeze then they are no good for hatching. Up until the last couple days I was having to go out every couple hours to get eggs so they didn't freeze. I will say I think I have only lost 3 or 4 this year to freezing. But if you have a true broody she will be sitting on those eggs and they won't have a chance to freeze.

 

[goldies99]

I'm upstate-Northern NY too!! Mine are constantly thinking they need to be broody too. If they freeze then they are no good for hatching. Up until the last couple days I was having to go out every couple hours to get eggs so they didn't freeze. I will say I think I have only lost 3 or 4 this year to freezing. But if you have a true broody she will be sitting on those eggs and they won't have a chance to freeze.

i cant use my eggs because i dont have roosters...so i have to hope i get someone who runs out to get eggs to save them for me so they can be hatched!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The eggs can go down to 29 F for a short period. If your temps aren't going below freezing , it isn't a big problem.

 

[goldies99]

well i got miss broody 12 eggs to hatch....i will have Easter peeps!!!