Is it ok to hatch chicks under broodies in Oct

[Anonymous]

If my chickens are still broody is it OK to hatch them in Oct? We have heat in our henhouse but once it gets cold could the chicks cope outside? I am only thinking of hatching some as the 3 Pekins we just hatched all look like cockerels.

 

[Anonymous]

If the hen is willing, let her, and just accept the fact you may have to add a little heat lamp to be near but not on where her nest is when they hatch. I've had hens hatch in Feb! when it rarely gets above freezing here - I just place a lamp down low nearby the feeder and waterer, so when the babes come out they don't get a chill.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your feedback. The last 3 we hatched were our first attempt so we are rather new to all this. It is a shame that all 3 seem to be cockerels-I would love to keep them but as we have neighbours both sides it would be impossible. My husband wants to keep them as long as possible in the hope they are hens, but at 7 weeks all have a comb-2 have quite a large one which is turning red.

 

[ncotb]

My LS banty went broody last week (2nd time this year), I decided not to let her sit again & she is back to normal now. My worry is that they may not sit for the 21 days as its getting colder, plus they could abandon the chicks early & I dont really want more chicks in the house this time of year. Still got 2 12 week olds indoors :shock: If youve got the room & an incubator for back up give it a go.

Forgot to say ,have you got pics of your pekins? would love to see them!

 

[foxy]

The other thing you may want to consider is that fertility significantly drops off in late summer/autumn, so the chances of a good number hatching reduces. This creates problems if you end up with a very small number of chicks mid winter, as NCOTB suggests probably easier with an incubator and an indoor brooder then moving to a shed with little heat over winter until spring, particulary for pekins.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your replies. I have decided against it now mainly because I think it will become too cold for the chicks. My birds have all stopped being broody now anyway. Unfortunately I can't show you pictures as I wouldn't know how to load them onto this site (I'm thick when it comes to things like that!). I have 3 Pekins: buff,silver partridge and partridge and 3 lavender Wyandottes. We also have the 3 baby cockerels. Can anyone advise me how to rehome these as we cannot keep them which is sad as I would love to.That is another reason why I am unsure I will hatch anymore as it is hard when you end up with cockerels!