Surrogate issues

Mother_hen · **Posted:** Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:04 pm

Ok so I want to use a broody hen (OEG) to incubate eggs as my incubator is full I know I have to take her chick away to get her to lay on the eggs but how long after she has the chick taken away will she sit on eggs?

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Mother hens and their chicks actually decided when it is time for the young ones to be separated, could be 6 weeks old, could be older, depending on how strong their bond is.

There is no guarantee that she will be broody again when and if you take her chicks away from her. Their bodies actually need to recuperate from sitting and raising their young, you would probably need to build her condition up before she sits again.

Mother_hen · **Posted:** Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:11 pm

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Thanks, OK, when she separates from the chicks, hopefully they will be feathered and won't need heat, just give her some extra avian multi vitamins to build her up, sitting, hatching and raising chicks takes a lot out of a mother hen.

The Pretty One had five rambunctious boys who just didn't want to leave the nest and their mum, after the last two boys left at 6 months old, they lived in bachelor accomodation, she NEVER went serious broody again and often discourages Lady Frances when she decides to sit in the nesting box for extended periods of time!

BackyardClucks · **Joined:** Sun Jan 13, 2013 12:28 pm **Posts:** 2

That picture is classic and reminds me on 1 of my hens a few years back she did the same even when the chicks were 6 months old

NewFreeRange · **Joined:** Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:13 am **Posts:** 4

I have a hen now that won;t give up her 5 4 month old chicks so I may have to force the issue I guess

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

at 12 weeks on just force the issue if you have to

good pic P.P. [smilie=a_goodjobson.gif]

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

soozorps wrote:

at 12 weeks on just force the issue if you have to

good pic P.P. [smilie=a_goodjobson.gif]

Thank you, kindly

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

NewFreeRange wrote:

I have a hen now that won;t give up her 5 4 month old chicks so I may have to force the issue I guess

I sorted of gradually separated the mum from her babies. Gave her some "ME" time, and let her out on her own to free range, have a scratch and a dust bath, at first the boys were distressed then they gradually got used to the separation and she would only go home at night to nest with them, then after she was introduced to the new hen and spent time with her during the day, she started going home to roost in the new coop with her new friend and the boys just all slept together until they were separated and went on to new homes.

NewFreeRange · **Joined:** Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:13 am **Posts:** 4

Thank you for the advice yes I will have to do them same I think I would like her to get back to laying eggs and maybe breed again

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Surrogate issues

Who is on the Forum