??s concerning Weather and Broody about to hatch...

[sab]

So I have a hen sitting on 12 eggs -- that will hatch today/tomorrow. I saw one egg move slightly when she took her morning stroll. I have her in a chicken tractor inside the chicken pen. She's been a good broody. My concern is the weather is changing -- colder. A lot colder. They aren't directly on the ground. I have her nesting material on a plastic tray to keep her and chicks out of wet -- this spring has been very wet in WV. We are looking ahead at some nights in the upper mid-upper 30s. Should I move her now before the hatching? If I move her into the coop, there is the other hens that will be an issue. I have allowed a broody to hatch once. And I kept them completely separate inside the coop. I did not let the mother integrate her chicks. I did that for her. This time, I had planned to let the hen do ALL the work including integration. By opening the tractor, she could bring her chicks out to free-range with her and the rest of the flock and take them into the big coop when she was ready. That was the plan. Now the weather is becoming a factor. And maybe it's not a factor -- maybe she can handle keeping them warm outside in the chicken tractor. What do you experienced folks think? Should I move them right now? Cause they will be pipping very very soon...

And if I should move them inside the coop, how much quarantining should I do? Will she be fine and protect sufficiently? I guess I am getting cold feet on this one. She would be placed in a nest box that sits on the floor. But it's a connected solid row of 5 nest boxes. So the possibility of hens laying eggs right beside her and her chicks is real... but is it a real danger?? Cold feet...

And I will add... I planned to buy some pullets tomorrow AM when the shipment to tractor supply comes in and add them to her clutch. I will not be keeping her roos as I live in the city limits. So she'll have 6 chicks a few days older than the others under her too...

 

[nchls school]

Do not move her until after the eggs hatch. At this late date you will cause more harm than good trying to move the hen. Make sure the nest is well padded from the plastic; possibly replace the plastic with something that insulates better-foam, wood. consider covering the tractor with a tarp.

My hens hatch and raise chicks all winter!

 

[nchls school]

Whatever you decide to do it must be done quickly. Those eggs have probably internally pipped already.

 

[sab]

Do not move her until after the eggs hatch. At this late date you will cause more harm than good trying to move the hen. Make sure the nest is well padded from the plastic; possibly replace the plastic with something that insulates better-foam, wood. consider covering the tractor with a tarp.

My hens hatch and raise chicks all winter!

Great! Thanks for answering. I will slide some insulation under the plastic tray. The tractor is already draped with a moving blanket and a tarp. And it does have an upstairs. Although the ramp is pulled up for now. Might be momma will be ready to move them up the ramp by the time the colder air sets in. Not given complete control to the hen before. A little scary but I’m sure she will handle it nicely. Thanks again!!