Your thoughts on a broody hen in winter

[Raptor Mountain Farm]

yes, last night when I put the food in the coop she got out of the box on her own, usually, I have to push her but she's been getting out herself. My Rooster is well he isn't nice so I don't want to take chances with a chick lol.

Then go with your gut, she is getting off on her own and eating. Sometimes I brought my broody hen treats or put a handful of feed to her in the nest. She always ate it.
Luckily, my 3 roosters are fine with the chick. They even came and visited the mother and chick when I had them locked away from everyone in a dog crate. Then expanded their area just had chicken wire to separate for a few more days so they could see each other. Then they broke out and were with everyone. She is protective of her chick, but she does get pecked at. My biggest concern is my dog thinking the chick is a live squeaky toy. LOL
You don't know until you try. I thought the baby wouldn't survive the cold, but it has been running around in the snow we had and he is not fully feathered yet. They are all doing well.

 

[Sandychic]

I have a young hen thathas gone broody again. 3 rd time since summer. Id like to break her of it now, but with nights getting down in the low teens I hesitate to cage her alone with out bedding. Last time it took 4 days in the cage.
So 2 xs a day at least I go out and take her off the nest, carry her a few minutes and then put her down away from the coop. Does anyone have other suggestions? I will slip a couple of day old chicks under her come spring.
Annalise, as for your roo, I’ve had several, and my recommendation is get rid of him . You don’t have room for more chickens so why keep him? My hens are far more happy without Mr. roo riding them all the time. And they free range all the time. I worried for their safety, but no problems .

 

[aart]

I have a young hen thathas gone broody again. 3 rd time since summer. Id like to break her of it now, but with nights getting down in the low teens I hesitate to cage her alone with out bedding. Last time it took 4 days in the cage.
So 2 xs a day at least I go out and take her off the nest, carry her a few minutes and then put her down away from the coop. Does anyone have other suggestions?

You could crate her during the day and block the nests at night so she can roost with the flock.

 

[Annalyse]

I have a young hen thathas gone broody again. 3 rd time since summer. Id like to break her of it now, but with nights getting down in the low teens I hesitate to cage her alone with out bedding. Last time it took 4 days in the cage.
So 2 xs a day at least I go out and take her off the nest, carry her a few minutes and then put her down away from the coop. Does anyone have other suggestions? I will slip a couple of day old chicks under her come spring.
Annalise, as for your roo, I’ve had several, and my recommendation is get rid of him . You don’t have room for more chickens so why keep him? My hens are far more happy without Mr. roo riding them all the time. And they free range all the time. I worried for their safety, but no problems .

I usually cage her in the coop at night so she's warm. I place the cage on the bedding and a roost and she actually uses the roost instead of nesting so try that. and I don't plan on getting any more chickens so Rooster is fine. If I do decide to ill see how well he acts around them and if he doesn't do good with them I'll return them. No need in getting rid of my handsome fellow.