hen adopting chicks...

[ridinem]

I have a broody hen and just purchased 4 baby chicks on Sunday. I read today that I can try to have the hen "adopt" the chicks by placing one underneath her tonight when it is dark, watch to make sure all is ok and if so add the others tomorrow night. This sounds much nicer than having them in my house under a light. My question is about temperature. I am in NH and last night it got down to 36 degrees.... it is supposed to get to 40 tonight then gradually warmer. Is it too cold to try this?? Will she be able to keep them warm enough??

 

[sourland]

She will be able to keep them warm enough - hens have been doing this forever. The longer she has been setting, the greater your chances are that she will foster the chicks. If she has raised chicks before , she may accept chicks even more readily. Good luck.