hen and me hatchoff--part 2 DILEMMA

[Silkie Sue]

OK....
short story long...
Set eggs in incubator.same day Silkie started sitting
Eggs hatched yesterday except for 1 still under hen.probably hatched by now...i will look in a couple minutes...
i have the 2 incubator hatchlings in a brooder in my spare bedroom... i was gonna wait until all the eggs hatched under the hen and sneak my 2 under her tonite...
here's my dilemma.....
my DH said " why don't you bring the hen the rest of the babies in??"
my hen is in the barn and it is 24 degrees F here
there is a heat lamp on low above her nest .
Any suggestions
i would like all the chicks together with the hen
would they be better off in the barn or in the house?
please tell me???

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Can the silkie cover everyone thoroughly? If so, I vote for the barn. Why upset her by changing the enviroment?

 

[Silkie Sue]

you have a great point...
she has 3 chicks under her now and she could easily handle 2 more....
like i said there is a heat lamp over her on low...
she has not gotten off the nest since they started hatching as i put her water and food near her so she doesn't have to move
it is her first time and i guess my faith in her is not 100% even though she has not disappointed me so far...
am i just being over worried???

 

[caspernc]

Gosh thats a hard one! You have to let her try but then you hate to lose the chicks......she will be less stressed if not moved........? I would leave her where she is, Happy with her babes. There have been posts about broodies hatching during the harshest weather.

 

[Silkie Sue]

okay...
i'll put them outside
but i'll do it tomorrow..

that won't be too late willit?

 

[caspernc]

Make sure you do it in the dark...... she will wake up and say wow kewl, I thought I had more.........

 

[Silkie Sue]

that is EXACTLY wat she will say...

thankyou for your support