hatching eggs with a broody hen in Feb

[Cacklin" Hens]

When mine go broody in the real cold. I try my hardest to make her go unbroody!

P.S. It usually works!

 

[hawkeye]

LyonFuzz, I have not let the hen sit on any eggs yet, being new I wanted to ask before letting her sit and possibly waste her time and eggs. so now I will set 5 or6 and try.

 

[dianneS]

I've had no problems with hens setting eggs in the winter. Just keep her confined to the coop and don't let her free range so that she won't leave the nest for too long. Also keep her and the chicks in the coop after the chicks hatch. She'll be able to keep them warmer inside the coop, where outside she could get distracted and forget to keep them under her wings when she scratching around.

 

[StacyMc]

Hawkeye, I too am from MI and have a broody silkie sitting on what I think are fertile bantam ameraucana eggs I do heat my coop and keep it clean and deep with wood shavings. I've never done this before, so I guess we'll see what happens. If I feel they are not tolerating the cold, I have the option of bringing them inside if need be. Do you have a projected hatch date?

So what happened when anyone let their broody hen hatch in February? I’m glad that my broody feels conditions and her nutrition are good enough for her to brood. I’d love for her to be a mom, but in a few months would be better. on that note though, that would be some pretty tough chicks if they grew up at the in the winter.