Thoughts about winter hatch?

[bobbi-j]

Insulated coop, nest on the ground and rooster is unable to get into nest. I have found so many chicks crushed flat underneath the hen in the mornings. Out of 5 from the first batch only 2 grew to be more than a moth old then one got taken by a predator during the middle of the day when it decided to squeeze through the fence into the open. So out of 3 broody hatches we only had 2 chicks that survived and grew to be more than a year old.

What are the dimensions of your coop, and how many chickens do you house in it?

 

[Izzy Dietzler]

What are the dimensions of your coop, and how many chickens do you house in it?

12x12 and 6 adult chickens at the time.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks, but that doesn't shine any lights. My nests are elevated, when the broody brings them off the nest they spend the rest of their life on the ground either in the coop or out in the grass until she takes them to the roosts. So nothing unusual about them being on the ground.
Nice sized coop. Not sure why the rooster not being able to get to the nest is important, I've never had a rooster threaten a chick. I've had some help Mama take care of them. My mature laying/breeding flock is usually one mature rooster and 6 to 8 mature hens but I may have as many as 45 other chickens of various ages growing to butcher age in with them. My other chickens spend all day every day outside, they are not in the coop except to sleep. After a couple of days the broody keeps the chicks outside all day every day too, just brings them inside to sleep on the coop floor.

I can't see anything in what you said that would give a clue as to why you would consistently have problems like that. Sorry I'm no help.

 

[Trisseh]

I would be more concerned with my broody being not that great than anything, in that situation... are other hens piling in with her and crushing babies, maybe, if she’s sleeping in the nest with her chicks? I could see duck hens crushing/losing babies, yes, they’re not the most attentive mamas, but my silkie is a stellar mom already. No chick left behind and if one is straggling she waits for it or brings everyone else back to collect it. And no way anyone else would ever even think of touching one of her babies, not if they want to keep their eyes in their heads... she still lets her 10 week old chicks sit with/under her, and welcomes the 14 week old silkie as well. The more the merrier.

 

[mrsshmee]

Thank you all for your advice and sharing your personal experiences! She currently has 7 eggs that are developing. I will be setting up her own spot in the coop for her little family. I love the idea of her raising these babies that she's worked so hard for.