Asil Hatching in December in Maine

[RFoxfire]

Morning all,

Anyone out there in a cold, northern climate ever have asils go broody and hatch chicks in the winter?

Just had two sister hens go broody on two nests, one hatched December 26-28th, 8 healthy chicks, the other went broody on Christmas.

Normally I would’ve collected the eggs, but was busy with work, hunting and family that I didn’t notice a nest of eggs. These two were the only hens at my place laying and I didn’t expect the asils to be laying eggs away this time of year. When I discovered the eggs one hen was already broody, so I let her go because asils lay so few eggs.

Just thought I’d ask. Last time I had Christmas chicks was over 10 years ago, and only the one time since ‘97. Thanks for your input.

 

[casportpony]

How exciting! Is she still sitting?

 

[Chictina]

How did it go? I had a broody and let her go. Only 1 hatched and I have them in the garage
I’d like to move them to the coop run asap (so I don’t have to reintroduce mom) maybe bring them in at night.
Wondering how baby was during the day weather is 0c 32-34f

 

[Chictina]

We are inside and I want them out lol

 

[RFoxfire]

How did it go? I had a broody and let her go. Only 1 hatched and I have them in the garage
I’d like to move them to the coop run asap (so I don’t have to reintroduce mom) maybe bring them in at night.
Wondering how baby was during the day weather is 0c 32-34f

Don’t wait.

My first Asil hen hatched her clutch and none died. I placed them in a small barn I built, it has a big wooden door, and a large screen window I placed a canvas tarp over. The pens inside this barn have screen tops and screen doors, this clutch had cut feed bag tarps stretched over the entire front, but not as of yesterday in 20-30sF temps.

Anyhow, other than wood, and a tarp blocking the wind, it gets cold inside this barn, 5 degrees F warmer than outside. The chicks stayed with the mother, at 3 weeks they were outside (in pen in the barn), and I live in Maine, USA. It was -18F, -40F wind chill two weeks or so ago. This past weekend single F digit temps.

They need clean fresh water and whole grains mixed into feed daily. No lost toes from frostbite, none died, all growing nicely.

 

[RFoxfire]

How exciting! Is she still sitting?

Hens set onto eggs (sit), then eggs hatch. The hen remains set for maybe two days, then she takes the clutch to forage. She does not continue to set on the nest unless she’s a really bad mother hen, otherwise the clutch would die.

 

[RFoxfire]

These images are from the morning after -18F with -40F wind chill.