Wisconsin Winter

[RM18]

A hen of ours went broody and hatched out 3 babies. They are doing well but we are heading into the coldest months of the year, they won’t be feathered in time to ease them into the cold. They and their momma are in a heated garage at the moment and I don’t want to keep them in there till spring... We have a panel heater in the coop but it only keeps it warm enough for the big birds... I’m wondering what I should do. Keep them in the garage till spring? Or try and put them outside.
Any advice would be welcomed!

 

[CluckerFamily]

If you are unsure, you only have to keep them inside until the chicks get their feathers around 7-8 weeks old.
Part of mom's job is to keep them warm. She will keep them warm in the coop. Is she your only chicken or will you also have to think about integrating her back into the flock?

 

[RM18]

If you are unsure, you only have to keep them inside until the chicks get their feathers around 7-8 weeks old.
Part of mom's job is to keep them warm. She will keep them warm in the coop. Is she your only chicken or will you also have to think about integrating her back into the flock?

We have 18 other birds she and her babies will have to be reintegrated with. That’s difficult to do in the snow when they can’t separate or disperse if tempers run hot. I don’t know how fiercely mother hens protect their young but that’s a big worry for me too

 

[CluckerFamily]

I built my own coop and it is large enough for the entire flock 16 hens/pullets and a rooster.
For mom and chicks, I created a chicken wire wall to divide the coop. This wall can be rolled up for storage. I keep a waterer in the coop and I created the chicken wire wall so that there is a hole where the waterer fits perfectly so everyone can be drinking at the same time but they can't get to mom and chicks. This may be less stressful for you and the flock if possible.