How long does hen stay with chicks?

Flashfire · **Posted:** Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:03 am

My chicks are now 3 weeks and 2 days old. I have noticed the past few days, although the hen still nests with them, during the day she climbs up on the nesting box and wherever else she can get so she can be higher than them and they cannot reach her. I have them all in a 2 metre x 1 metre cage so there is plenty of room for them all. But is she just getting fed up with their demands for her attention or is she ready to leave them? If she is, should I let her go back to the flock and just let them stay in the cage until they are a bit older?

Chickababe · **Posted:** Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:08 pm

Hello Flasfire,

I'm no expert, but my broodies stayed with then chicks for a minimum of 9 weeks. The chicks could still require the heat from mumma. Is there any way you can remove the nest box or alter it so that mum can't hop on top of the lid. If she still seems disinterested then you may need to brood them using a lamp and allow mum to return to the flock.

One of my broodies is a very good sitter, but gets frustrated with chicks within days. She lacks patience.

Good luck

Bill · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:35 am

Yes its normal for them to stay with mum to 6-10 weeks depending on the breed

Katy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2014 1:12 pm

I leave them till mum tells me when she wants them gone

AustralorpRoss · **Joined:** Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:26 pm **Posts:** 1

I leave the lorps for 12 weeks but with no roo in the coop for the chicks safety

LOOLOO · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2014 6:42 am

About 6 weeks here give or take a couple of days and yes depends on the breed

LooLoo

edgefowls · **Joined:** Mon Mar 10, 2014 1:34 pm **Posts:** 1

I was told that 3 weeks was ok?

Katy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:00 am

Dats too soon they need their mum for a few weeks to stay warm

Flashfire · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:00 am

She is still with them, I think her climbing on the nesting box is just her way of saying, "give it a rest will ya!!" she still goes into the nest with them at night. I have let her out a couple of times to free range by herself which she appears to enjoy but she heads back to the cage when she has had enough. I am thinking of moving them all down to the big chicken house this weekend.

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

As a general rule I leave all mine with their respective mothers until they feather up then they go into a cage on their own until I know they can cut it with the big kids.

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