I'll say this and let it be my finish on the subject. Our chickens are free-ranged, protected by a dog during the day and locked up tight at night. I will give one example, a first time broody set on 6 eggs but only two hatched, for whatever reasons. On the 4th day, the hen had them outside in cold rain-blowing weather and it was almost cold enough to snow. I figured nature would take it's course and it did. When the chicks got a bit uncomfortable, they would run up under momma's skirt for a while then back out to pick and play.
Some will say the fact that these were White Chanteclers made the difference in their abilities to withstand the weather but I totally discount the breed. It was the hen's ability to care for her chicks. They ate from the layer feed and every other place they could find a bug, seed or something to gulp. By three weeks, they were eating a few BOSS and they were well protected from all comers that dared challenge them. They're weaned now but still hang with mom a bit but they have learned the 'pecking order' because mom quit defending them about 3 weeks ago and they roost together on their own, on a low rung. This is just one of several examples. If I have to treat brooded chicks like incubator chicks, I can't see the point. The only difference they were treated was worming with a substance more gentle for all the youngsters as they came of age and the next time, they will be wormed like the adults. Everyone dusts in Sevin-5% and are bug free.
Good luck with your chicks.
Some will say the fact that these were White Chanteclers made the difference in their abilities to withstand the weather but I totally discount the breed. It was the hen's ability to care for her chicks. They ate from the layer feed and every other place they could find a bug, seed or something to gulp. By three weeks, they were eating a few BOSS and they were well protected from all comers that dared challenge them. They're weaned now but still hang with mom a bit but they have learned the 'pecking order' because mom quit defending them about 3 weeks ago and they roost together on their own, on a low rung. This is just one of several examples. If I have to treat brooded chicks like incubator chicks, I can't see the point. The only difference they were treated was worming with a substance more gentle for all the youngsters as they came of age and the next time, they will be wormed like the adults. Everyone dusts in Sevin-5% and are bug free.
Good luck with your chicks.
it will be cute watching them all following the momma around, 
