Hen raised chicks - will mother hen keep them warm when it gets colder outside?

[Kentchicks]

I've got 4 lovely hen raised chicks, the mother hen is very caring and dedicated (see photo). They are now a little over 2 weeks old and mum has been taking them outside a lot already. The outside temperature has been quite warm so far, but I am a bit worried the temperatures may be a bit lower soon (around 55-60F) during the day (I live in the UK). Will mother hen look after them and ensure they don't get too cold or should I lock them up in the coop if it gets too cold? I think the coop itself won't be much warmer anyway, and it may get a bit claustrophobic for them, especially for the mother hen. Any ideas? Or will they be ok?

 

[sumi]

They'll be O.K. I just had 2 hens raise chicks over winter in South Africa. We don't get quite as cold as the UK, but we did get heavy frost a few times. The hens were outside all the time, in the coop at night and out first thing in the morning, on the frost, with the chicks and they were all fine. I'm sure the chicks didn't enjoy the cold much, but the hens were on standby for a quick warm up when needed!

BTW your mom and chicks are gorgeous!

 

[ruby m w]

They'll be fine.Beutiful mother and chicks.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Very cute chicks, and the hen appears very protective so she will take good care of them. When they are cold she'll warm them and even keep them dry in a rain storm. Being outside is the very best thing to help them grow up strong and healthy. Don't worry at all!

 

[Ridgerunner]

They will absolutely be OK with a broody hen in those temperatures. I never worry about my broodies taking care of chicks in any temperature. The hen will take care of them.

I never worry about the temperature in my brooder when I raise them myself. My brooder is in the coop and can get much colder than the temperatures you mentioned. I just keep one small area of that brooder warm so they can go back to it it they need to warm up. Many people would be surprised at how much time those brooder raised chicks spend in the colder sections of the brooder. Many people would be surprised t how much time chicks with a broody spend away from her in really cold weather, only going back to her when they need to warm up.

 

[Kentchicks]

Thanks for all your comments, I am now convinced I shouldn't worry at all

 

[Taccuddles]

Raising chicks with my broody hen was the best and easiest way to go!