I am a newbie: I incubated a batch of eggs, and I let a first-time broody set on eggs, both early this winter. Broody is much easier! I put her (and a nest box/food/water)in a dog crate inside the coop so she could be near the flock. I let her out to stretch and poop for a couple hours a day til the chicks hatched (6 out of 7 eggs hatched!). Because it was really cold (for Texas, anyway), I didn’t let her out for long the first week so the chicks wouldn’t get cold. When our temps picked up and they were about 10 days old, I created a surround just outside the crate so they could all move a bit more. A few days after that, I let the mama take the babies out for a stroll. Everyone did great, of course. I’m sure I was WAY too cautious, but I was learning. First time they free-ranged, they stuck close to mama, and I no longer separated or worried about them. Mama even fought off other hens to clear space for them the first night they roosted with the flock! Lesson learned: nature is better than technology. Not having to monitor temps/humidity, rotate eggs to avoid hot spots (even with autoegg turner), candling, and then the brooder...ugh! I’ll never deal with a brooder in winter again. My basement was a mess with the feather dust everywhere...
Just my experience. Everyone here has great advice. Lots to read as decide what works for you. Good luck!
