Making Mistakes with my First Broody

[danielchelsea]

Alright, so I'm pretty sure I've done a no no, but I wasn't sure what to do, so I just had to make a decision.
Our Silkie, Hollis has gone broody. Our first hen to do so, though Hollis raised a bunch of chicks at previous home. We live in Michigan where it is hovering around 5 degrees recently. I did some research on what to do about a broody hen in winter, and we decided to wait it out a bit, and make her free range with the others in the area we have shoveled for them. We went away for a few days for Christmas, and when I checked on her this morning, she had little icicles all over her. Poor thing looked like a plant that had been left out and got frost. The other chickens are happy and warm, but they are also eating and drinking and moving around... I have a feeling that she hadn't moved the whole time we were gone.
I wasn't sure what to do, so I grabbed her and brought her inside. She settled on a towel in the shower and ate and drank and pooped. Now I'm afraid that I can't bring her back outside because she's been sitting in a cozy house all day. And if she has to stay inside, then she might as well hatch some eggs, right? But then do I have her plus babies inside until March?
There was a time in our lives where a chicken would be welcome to snuggle on the sofa all evening with us, but now with a 14 month old who can only say 4 words and one of them is Chicken... Hollis would be a very angry broody, being carried around all day by the happiest little girl!

I appreciate any advice, we love our little Hollis, and just want to keep her safe and happy!!

 

[Folly's place]

She's not sitting on eggs now, right? It's cold, and difficult for Silkies, with their cute but inefficient fluff. Why the icicles? Wetness comes from somewhere, so what happened? Is it damp in the coop?
She won't be happy as a lone bird in the house, and you won't love the mess either. Make sure the coop is all right, and move her out tomorrow, if possible. If she's away from the flock they won't easily accept her back.
Mary

 

[danielchelsea]

She's not sitting on eggs now, right? It's cold, and difficult for Silkies, with their cute but inefficient fluff. Why the icicles? Wetness comes from somewhere, so what happened? Is it damp in the coop?
She won't be happy as a lone bird in the house, and you won't love the mess either. Make sure the coop is all right, and move her out tomorrow, if possible. If she's away from the flock they won't easily accept her back.
Mary

Thanks, Mary! I'll double check the coop tomorrow. I thought we had adequate ventilation, but maybe we need a bit more air flow. There is quite a bit of snow on the coop, so maybe it is keeping some of the air from escaping. I'll put her back out tomorrow... You don't think the shock of the cold will be harmful to her?

 

[danielchelsea]

She's not sitting on eggs now, right? It's cold, and difficult for Silkies, with their cute but inefficient fluff. Why the icicles? Wetness comes from somewhere, so what happened? Is it damp in the coop?
She won't be happy as a lone bird in the house, and you won't love the mess either. Make sure the coop is all right, and move her out tomorrow, if possible. If she's away from the flock they won't easily accept her back.
Mary

And no, she's not sitting on eggs. I figure it is too cold for babies.

 

[Folly's place]

You have limited choices, but first fix any ventilation issues!
I can't imagine having 'house chickens', even small ones! If the coop is dry and there's a draft free area for her, things should be okay. Have her in a very cool/ cold area tonight, if she's comfortable and dry.
Mary

 

[danielchelsea]

You have limited choices, but first fix any ventilation issues!
I can't imagine having 'house chickens', even small ones! If the coop is dry and there's a draft free area for her, things should be okay. Have her in a very cool/ cold area tonight, if she's comfortable and dry.
Mary

Thanks so much for your advice! We've moved her to a colder area where she will be a bit chilly tonight, instead of our toasty bedroom. She's such a sweet soul, I just want to do right by her! But she needs to be with her flock. I'm home all day, so I'll check on her a few times tomorrow.

 

[Folly's place]

Have you checked in on the Silkie thread? Or your state thread? I had a few Silkies long ago, and didn't replace them.
Mary

 

[danielchelsea]

Have you checked in on the Silkie thread? Or your state thread? I had a few Silkies long ago, and didn't replace them.
Mary

I didn't know there were special threads like that! I'll go check them out! She stayed nice and chilly last night, then had a full blown panic attack when I tried to grab her from the carrier, which was a great sign. She ran back into the coop as soon as she saw the others, and I haven't seen her in the nesting box all day! Maybe the change of pace helped break her broodiness? Who knows? She is very happy to be back with her Silkie rooster, she follows him constantly. Thanks for all your help!