I have a broody hen sitting 12 eggs and expect them to hatch in about a week. We have an outside brooder, but should I bring the chicks inside? I'm kind of hoping to keep them out, but would not do so at the expense of their health. What do you think?
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you have a hen--you can leave most of that to her--Personally I would bring them all in in the afternoo when it is over 107. (Her body temp is about 107) and and besides she will be pretty great about knowing what to do for her babies. I leave a door open for a while in the afternoons so the birds that are unhappy with the temp can have a cooling station of sorts. Since chickens don't sweat, I feel better if I make sure they have a little running water or mist and pleanty of shade. At night I leave a fan in the coop to help cool them. (last year when the girls were pullets I waited until after dark, when they had gone to their pen, to catch them and bring them into the laundry room so they could have respite from the August heat all night. Just remember, your chicks have a very wise mommy...... ;-)
Start your chicks out around 95 - 100 degrees. Each week reduce their temperature by 5 degrees. So...during the day they'll be OK with shade and good ventilation, but at night you'll want to heat their brooder for a few weeks. They can't adjust their own temperatures well while they have down, but once they feather out they can self-adjust.