Is my hen broody?

[aart]

Or do you think not at all? We will continue to have cold snaps until March/April, sometimes being as cold as minus 10 Celsius (14 Fahrenheit). Just want to give them their best chance. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this as well

A long as they are dry and out of any drafts, they will be fine without a heat source.
Here's a story that should convince you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broody-in-michigan-winter.947046/

 

[Cocochicken]

A long as they are dry and out of any drafts, they will be fine without a heat source.
Here's a story that should convince you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broody-in-michigan-winter.947046/

Thanks aart! I had read your story before but now gave it a second read to compare temps more closely. And you’re right, those temps are very similar to what I’m contending with. I am concerned with draft, just due to the approx. 10 x 12 door leading out to the outside coop. I leave that door open all day because the others need access to their water that is inside the coop. Do you think this opening will create too much draft? Maybe what I’ll do is put some poly sheeting on that side just to break any wind. Just 2 more days to go!! Just working on setting up a go pro camera so we’ll be able to spy on them from inside the house aart....one more thing.....we’re your chicks able to drink from the horizontal nipples right from the start? Or did you have to put an open waterer in there for them?

 

[aart]

I am concerned with draft, just due to the approx. 10 x 12 door leading out to the outside coop. I leave that door open all day because the others need access to their water that is inside the coop. Do you think this opening will create too much draft?

Depends on where the broody nest is in relation the the pop door
(post pics to show this?),
but yes you'll want a barrier around nest to block any drafts.

 

[Cocochicken]

Depends on where the broody nest is in relation the the pop door
(post pics to show this?),
but yes you'll want a barrier around nest to block any drafts.

The door is on the back right corner of the inside coop.....behind the water. (Picture below) I was thinking to put the poly at least on the back right corner of the brooding cage. aart....one more thing.....we’re your chicks able to drink from the horizontal nipples right from the start? Or did you have to put an open waterer in there for them?

 

[aart]

The door is on the back right corner of the inside coop.....behind the water. (Picture below) I was thinking to put the poly at least on the back right corner of the brooding cage. aart....one more thing.....we’re your chicks able to drink from the horizontal nipples right from the start? Or did you have to put an open waterer in there for them?

Broody nest is at the ramp, behind the coffee can?
Can you feel a breeze/draft there coming from the pop door?
Maybe prop a board, cardboard, or something, where red square is(very roughly drawn?
What is the thing where I put green line?

I fed the chicks very wet crumble several times a day.
They figured out the nipples fairly quick...but I did put out an open chick waterer at the end of the day, making sure it was up high enough they would step in it-sand filled 8oz and 16oz sour cream containers worked great to raise chick waterer.

 

[Cocochicken]

Broody nest is at the ramp, behind the coffee can?
Can you feel a breeze/draft there coming from the pop door?
Maybe prop a board, cardboard, or something, where red square is(very roughly drawn?
What is the thing where I put green line?

I fed the chicks very wet crumble several times a day.
They figured out the nipples fairly quick...but I did put out an open chick waterer at the end of the day, making sure it was up high enough they would step in it-sand filled 8oz and 16oz sour cream containers worked great to raise chick waterer.

Yes, the nest is at the top of the ramp behind the coffee can waterer with horizontal nipples. I’ll check tomorrow if I can feel a breeze....it hasn’t been terribly windy lately.....But I’m sure that there will be days that the wind will blow through there. Did you mark up the picture? You mentioned drawing a green line but I don’t see the marked up picture so I’m unable to answer some of your questions

 

[aart]

You mentioned drawing a green line but I don’t see the marked up picture so I’m unable to answer some of your questions

oops dinner timer went off and I forgot to paste pic:

Maybe prop a board, cardboard, or something, where red square is(very roughly drawn)?
What is the thing where I put green line?

 

[Cocochicken]

oops dinner timer went off and I forgot to paste pic:
View attachment 1664739

Awesome...thanks for sending the pic. Where you’ve drawn the green line is a roof for the broody pen. Here’s a picture of it from a different angle.

 

[aart]

Ah, great!!
You can attach some wind blocks to that if needed,
try not to block all visibility tho.

 

[Cocochicken]

I hear chirping!!!. Not sure how many have hatched so far as they’re still tucked under mama. I’ve decided to run the broody lamp....I know, I know....you did convince me that they shouldn’t need it, but there will be times that I won’t be able to switch out the water multiple times a day when it freezes so if for nothing else, it’ll keep the water from freezing. It seems to maintain the coop temp about 8 or 9 degrees warmer. Thanks for all your help and expertise having done this crazy winter hatching yourself. It’s been really appreciated. I’ll post pics as soon as I see them!