Is it possible to hatch out babies in the winter????

[usalbrechts]

I know this is probably a stupid idea....I am so mad at my 12 year old girl right now!!! She did not make sure everyone was in the house last night and 2 of my silkies were out all night. Only one is still alive this morning!! un
My rooster Bubba is gone!!! I cried

I saw him mating with one of the silkie girls yesterday....If by chance I could get her to sit on her next few eggs, and if they actually hatched out (big if) would they even have a chance of survival in the middle of winter up here in Michigan. I know I am grasping at straws....He was a sweet roo. We were planning on hatching babies in the spring.... What do you think. I don't know the first thing about doing this. I know it can be dangerous for the babies to stay in the flock (I think), with the possibility of the other hens killing them...(that happened to alot of my dad's hatchlings when I was a kid). I appreciate any advice on this...I know I probably just need to wait and get another rooster next spring....

 

[karri25]

I am so extremely sorry for your loss. I only have one silkie roo right now and he is my little darling. I would be just beside myself if anything was to happen to him. I am sorry:-(

 

[Cuban Longtails]

If the eggs are fertile (just because they went through the motions doesn't mean they are) and she becomes broody to set them, then I would suggest you keep her and her eggs in the house. Definitely you will need to keep the babies with mom inside the house too, if the eggs hatch out. They would need to be kept in a warm, draft-free place separate from the other chickens you have.

That's what I would do, if I were in your shoes and lived in Michigan or any other place up north that sees temperatures in the negatives during winter!

 

[silkiechicken]

You can't make her go broody but you can hatch and raise them yourself.

 

[perrym1962]

I know it isn't as cold here in Ky. as MI, but I hatch chicks all winter long. I just make sure they keep nice and toasty with a 250watt infrared bulb. Also in a draft free area. Personally I have better luck in the winter than I do with 95 or 100 degree weather like we had last summer. Perry..

 

[BamaChicken]

I hatch in the winter but use and incubator as it is really to cold for the little ones outside when they hatch under the hens and they can get to cold quick.