We have five, four-to-five day old chicks in our coop right now. We just got them from MyPetChicken on Tuesday, and they are under a broody hen. My problem is that, since we are in New England, the temperature at night is starting to get close to freezing. Can Momma Hen keep her chicks warm in these temperatures, or should we move her into the house or main part of the barn? She and the chicks are in a dog kennel, in the coop, with lots of hay. The coop is a few degrees warmer than outside, since I chick-proofed it, and Momma Hen is a standard size hen, so she has no difficulty fitting all the chicks under her. Thanks!
I think she'll do fine, especially since the chicks are confined & cannot wander off. Stick your hand under her. It's toasty, right?
My broody BO started setting last THANKSGIVING, and we got Christmas Miracle on Dec 25, in the morning... she kept him warm and toasty all day long, in an insulated (foil bubble wrapped) rubbermaid box, we only turned the light on at night (hubby is a tightwad, and doesn't like chickens)..... It all worked out fine. This was in Vermont.. it was SUPER cold during the day, below 10....
Thanks a lot! This really helps. We had a 36 degree night last night, and, when we came out to the barn, all the chicks were warm under momma!
I'm sure the hen will keep them warm; and if you're really worried about it, maybe putting a light in the coop/barn/whatever they sleep in at night would help.
