I have a hen that has been sitting on about 6-8 eggs. I can hear them starting to peep inside the eggs. The problem is! it is approx. 15 degrees during the day and 0-5 degrees at night. It is warmer in the coop, but not by much. Will they survive? Any suggestions?
2007-02-08 05:51:29 · 4 answers · asked by Richard K 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
I'm suprised that the eggs lasted. My ducks layed some late eggs, and they didn't survive the cold. There is a slim chance that the mom could continue to keep the babies warm, but no gaurantee the babies will stay close enough to her to keep warm.
Me personally? If you can't put some heat in the coop, I'd move the whole family into the basement or garage until the weather warms up (mom and all). You need to get an enclosure to keep them in one spot, but it's worth it. When mom chicken is around, you don't have to worry about wether you're doing it right, because she knows what she's doing.
That's just me though. Good luck, and I hope they make it.
2007-02-08 20:24:00 · answer #1 · answered by Theresa A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might also consider providing supplimental heat outside if your set up will allow. Of course you can bring the chicks inside and raise them that way. If you are going to use a heatpad, then place it so that the chicks have the option to self regulate their temp by moving off the heat pad if they want. I find that the use of a light as described in a previous answer is much more effective than a heat pad though. Just be sure the chicks can move nearer or further from the heat source at will. You might also want to consider bringing mum inside with the chicks. She is better at looking after them than any other method. I often use a large dog crate for mums and chicks so that the mum doesn't lose out after she's done all the hard work of brooding. Now would be a good time to stock up on chicken crumbles to feed your chicks.
2007-02-09 00:18:34 · answer #2 · answered by PJJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is too cold for chicks out side right now. you will have to bring them in and keep them in a brooder. it's a warm box like a incubator laced with pine shaving to keep the babies warm. you can make your own, by taking a a 10 gallon fish tank and putting pine shaving at the bottom of it, put the chicks inside with some cracked corn and water then put it in a dry warm place and put a heating pad on top of the cage. do not put it under the tank! the glass can get so hot that it will fry your chicks. the heat from above will circulate in the tank and keep your babies nice a warm till they can take the cold.
2007-02-08 15:15:23 · answer #3 · answered by HeRe 4 yOu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
itsa way to early for this. they need to go in a warm place-incubator- or in your house-near radiator
they r gonna die outside its too cold for them even after they hatch its stil too cold for them to be outside in this time of year.
ask a farmer fopr advice or maybe a vet
2007-02-08 14:09:33 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs Chad Michael Murray 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋