How long after hatch will Broody hen start to lay again?

I found an egg in the chicken coop today - and it must have been laid by one of our 2 mama hens, who both have chicks that hatched just over 3 weeks ago. I was very surprised to find an egg so soon. The only other chicken who might have laid it is I think too young - I'm not sure, I think she is only about 4 months old.

So I guess there is a great deal of variation in how long it takes for them to start laying again.

Mine abandoned her chicks at birth, 3 weeks ago and she is still not laying:/

Just found my Momma hen on the nest with her 5 week old chick standing patiently beside her. I was worried that something was wrong with the Momma until my husband mentioned maybe she was getting ready to lay again.

I'm obviously new to the whole broody and baby business. Fingers crossed she's starting to lay again as I've been missing her eggs!

Mtn Laurel said:

Just found my Momma hen on the nest with her 5 week old chick standing patiently beside her. I was worried that something was wrong with the Momma until my husband mentioned maybe she was getting ready to lay again.

I'm obviously new to the whole broody and baby business. Fingers crossed she's starting to lay again as I've been missing her eggs!

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Just as a follow-up, my Momma hen did begin laying 5 weeks after the chick hatched. She's definitely NOT broody any longer. No more cluck-cluck-cluck sounds and she's back to wanting to forage and catch bugs.

I kinda' miss the cluck-cluck-cluck.

So here's what going on with mine. They hatched the first week of June. This week I let her out with the chicks and the other hens soon as one came off she got all puffed up and started fighting. The hen wasn't even near the chicks just around the area. So I figured it's to early still (June 3 - July 6). Well she's still protective when the other hens come near the cage (the 2 separate coops share a fenced wall). But today an egg. Does that mean she will stop caring for the chicks and should go back with the others or do I leave her with them till the little ones get a little bigger.

Thanks I've learned a lot on these forms.

Mat

Arielle said:

My first broody hen just started sitting this week. DH asked today when she will be going back to work! Good to know if I pull the babies and place in brooder all will be fine.

SHe puffs up when we approach. But she a BO and is sweet and will let us pick her up. SO unlike the RIR who peck our hands for reaching under them for the eggs!

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Hi
Why do you take the chicks off her please ? She will do all the work and it seems sad to not let her have her chicks. Also it is the absolute cutest thing to see a mama with her babies.

MotherCharlotte said:

I found an egg in the chicken coop today - and it must have been laid by one of our 2 mama hens, who both have chicks that hatched just over 3 weeks ago. I was very surprised to find an egg so soon. The only other chicken who might have laid it is I think too young - I'm not sure, I think she is only about 4 months old.

So I guess there is a great deal of variation in how long it takes for them to start laying again.

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Hi yes one of mine has been laying all week and her chicks are only three weeks old now. The others, who I feel are better mums - not sure if that’s why, aren’t laying yet and their chicks are older.

I am just curious…how/ when was the attack? Daytime/ night or early morning? Did it attack the run or did it actually get into your coop? I’m new owing chickens and am really trying to provide protection to the birds.