My first broody hen

[Matilda Belle]

But it's winter in Minnesota. Should I let her hatch a couple or is that not a good idea?

 

[BuffOrpington567]

That would depend on the avearage temperture? If its below 5 degrees celcius, then i wouldnt risk it as when the eggs hatch, it could be to cold for them and they could die.

 

[Matilda Belle]

It's been about 20 degrees F (-6 celcius). I have a heat lamp in the coop, but not sure that would be enough for chicks.

What if I brought the chicks inside after they hatch?

Another question I have is so right now she's sitting on an empty nest. How are any of the eggs she lays in the nest going to be fertile if she never leaves?

 

[BuffOrpington567]

It's been about 20 degrees F (-6 celcius). I have a heat lamp in the coop, but not sure that would be enough for chicks.

What if I brought the chicks inside after they hatch?

Another question I have is so right now she's sitting on an empty nest. How are any of the eggs she lays in the nest going to be fertile if she never leaves?

Those are very dangerous tempertures for the chicks, so i advise u to hatch them inside with a heatlamp, but they would have to be inside for at least 6 weeks till they grow some of their plumiage, and even then yov would be putting them at risk with the cold tempertures. With the eggs,it would be best to buy some fertile ones and pop them under her, but its up to you

 

[Matilda Belle]

Thanks for the advice. One more question...if I keep removing the eggs from under her, will she eventually snap out of her broodiness?

 

[BuffOrpington567]

She will do eventually but it would take at least 2 months. They dont quit easily, but thier are other methods as well.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Thanks. Any suggestions or should I just leave her be?

 

[BuffOrpington567]

Thanks. Any suggestions or should I just leave her be?

As i said, its up to you, you can just leave her but you cant let her hatch eggs as the chicks would die once being exposed to the cold tempetures. I would recommend letting her hatch some inside, but its up to you

 

[sylviethecochin]

My bantam cochin, Sylvie, does fine with chicks in below-freezing temps. So does my little black laying hen, Psycho. The rest of them are smart enough to wait until spring.

But I definitely wouldn't do it with a first-time mother. Why not break her of it and hope to get another broody this spring? You have silkies; they're pretty notorious for being broody.

 

[BuffOrpington567]

My bantam cochin, Sylvie, does fine with chicks in below-freezing temps. So does my little black laying hen, Psycho. The rest of them are smart enough to wait until spring.

But I definitely wouldn't do it with a first-time mother. Why not break her of it and hope to get another broody this spring? You have silkies; they're pretty notorious for being broody.

I persnally wouldnt break her, but let her hatch them inside