Need advice on giving broody chicks in winter

[AinaWGSD]

My test run with my new incubator was successful, chicks are hatching right now. I have the brooder set up in the basement and was planning to clean out the big brooder in the garage for when they outgrow the one in the basement.

And then my husband comes in from collecting eggs and tells me he thinks the olive egger is broody again.

So now I'm suuuuper tempted to give her the babies and let her do all the work.

My biggest concern is that it's early February, and winter/early spring temperatures. Husband is a lot more concerned about this than I am.

Gotta admit, one of the reasons letting her raise these chicks is appealing is letting her handle integration. But regardless of how many of the 10 eggs in the incubator hatch, we can only keep one pullet because the ordinance on chicken keeping limits us to 6 hens. Would she likely be able to integrate a single pullet (we would probably have multiple for a while but before they reach POL we'd almost certainly have to relocate all but one)?

If we decided to do this, when would be ideal to introduce the chicks? Would her just going broody cause problems with accepting them?

 

[Shadrach]

My biggest concern is that it's early February, and winter/early spring temperatures.

And what are these temperatures?

Would she likely be able to integrate a single pullet

She'll have an easier time doing it than you will. A single pullet should be no problem if she accepts the chicks.

If we decided to do this, when would be ideal to introduce the chicks?

Now, if you're going to do it and the hen is truely broody.

 

[AinaWGSD]

And what are these temperatures?

Ah, I knew I forgot something! We're in zone 6A. Our 10 day forecast has highs mostly in the 30's and lows mostly in the teens with a couple nights dipping down to 8 or 9. So not terrible but definitely cold compared to the brooder in the basement.

 

[Shadrach]

Ah, I knew I forgot something! We're in zone 6A. Our 10 day forecast has highs mostly in the 30's and lows mostly in the teens with a couple nights dipping down to 8 or 9. So not terrible but definitely cold compared to the brooder in the basement.

I see. To be honest I've got too many questions regarding the keeping arrangements to offer any advice if you are dealing with those temperatures. I can't help wondering why you incubated eggs at this time of year, especially given you can only keep one (?) Spring time with temperatures above freezing seems more appropriate for hatching and rearing.
Where would the broody hen sit?

The sitting isn't so much of a problem but keeping a large clutch of chicks warm in those temperatures might prove challenging.
I wouldn't even try this at those temperatures.
I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[AinaWGSD]

We have a coop out of the family farm where roosters are allowed. The chicks would be moved out there, I was just thinking since she's apparently broody anyway if she raised these chicks we could keep one in town.

Later this spring we plan to hatch some buckeyes to raise out at the farm for meat and eggs.