My Hen just hatched her eggs last night :) :) :)

[MSuomie]

My hen has hatched last night and I am happy and concerned.

HAPPY
1. Didn't think she would hatch during this season/weather
2. The last time anyone had hatched had been over a year since something had eaten the mom and babies. Since then we had taken in some a few new hens and some chicks. Now one of them has hatched.

CONCERNED
1. The last time we had any chicks, they were given to us as chics. I took care of them in the house. This time I want to let the mom take care of her chicks but I don't know if the can survive in the weather.

How can I help her and protect them?

 

[aart]

They will be fine, mama will keep them warm.

 

[MSuomie]

They will be fine, mama will keep them warm.

Really, ok

 

[aart]

Really, ok

Yup, as long as they have a place out of the wind and rain/snow.
Had a broody hatch in Jan/Feb up here...teens F.

 

[Brahmababe20]

My hen has hatched last night and I am happy and concerned.

HAPPY
1. Didn't think she would hatch during this season/weather
2. The last time anyone had hatched had been over a year since something had eaten the mom and babies. Since then we had taken in some a few new hens and some chicks. Now one of them has hatched.

CONCERNED
1. The last time we had any chicks, they were given to us as chics. I took care of them in the house. This time I want to let the mom take care of her chicks but I don't know if the can survive in the weather.

How can I help her and protect them?

Do you have a small private place in henhouse where chicks can’t get out so mom can take of them? They don’t need food for first couple days but I believe mom might need some water & nutrition. Keep mom & babies away from the flock.

 

[chickens really]

I move my Hen and Chicks into a Brooder for about 5 days and supply a heat lamp over the feed and water area so the Chicks don't get too cold while foraging. Winter hatching can be challenging.

 

[sourland]

Keep them dry and draft free and they should be fine unless temperatures become excessively low.

 

[bobbi-j]

I like to integrate mama and babies within the first week or so (last broody I had insisted on setting within the flock and had her babies out with the flock within 24 hours of hatching. The advantage of integrating them early (provided, of course, that you have plenty of room) is that mama is full of protective broody hormones. The other chickens will help teach the babies how flock society works and mama will help keep them safe.

 

[MSuomie]

Yup, as long as they have a place out of the wind and rain/snow.
Had a broody hatch in Jan/Feb up here...teens F.

wow. Ok. I was looking at cmom here on the board. She takes such great care of her's

 

[MSuomie]

Do you have a small private place in henhouse where chicks can’t get out so mom can take of them? They don’t need food for first couple days but I believe mom might need some water & nutrition. Keep mom & babies away from the flock.

I will take pics to show you guys. She has a place, but it may not be good enough. she is amongst the flock too.