Broody hen raising chicks ?

[Ponyiqandhens2]

For those of you that have raised chicks with the hen when do they start roosting.my broody had 3 of the 6 roosting 5 1/2 feet off the ground, 1 got stuck not quite where the rest were and 2 had wandered off..i took them down and placed in a dog carrier forthe night but i am considering allowing them to roost tonight. She was covering them with her wings

 

[sourland]

About as soon as they are able to fly up to the roost.

 

[Sussex19]

Many of mine don't roost until they are 10 or so weeks old. This is after they are weaned.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Earliest was about 2-3 weeks

 

[Ponyiqandhens2]

Ok so my hen isnt crazy, my blacksmith was here yesterday ( has had chicks his whole life, was able to make my rooster behave with a look) anyway, hebwas like they are fully feathered, they can fly.. and then with yalls info i will allow them to roost

 

[Jojosine]

So, at what age should I make sure there is a perch for them to sleep on at night? They are now 3 weeks old and still sleep under momma on the floor. My husband thinks it's too soon, I wonder how they keep warm if they are perching?

 

[Ponyiqandhens2]

Mine have access to a roost, but sleep under/with mom from 6-10 weeks

 

[NatJ]

So, at what age should I make sure there is a perch for them to sleep on at night? They are now 3 weeks old and still sleep under momma on the floor. My husband thinks it's too soon, I wonder how they keep warm if they are perching?

You can provide a perch whenever you want, and let them decide when to roost. Then check after dark to see how they are doing. If they are all on the perch and seem content, they are fine. Or if the hen is sleeping on the floor with the chicks, that is also fine. But if the hen is on the perch, and the chicks are peeping unhappily on the floor, you might need to take the perch away again. Some hens are much better than others at judging when their chicks are ready to perch at night.

For keeping warm while perching: mostly their own feathers keep them warm. One or two chicks on each side can be under the mother's wings. Depending on how many chicks, that might mean all are under her wings, or that most are not.

 

[Ponyiqandhens2]

You can provide a perch whenever you want, and let them decide when to roost. Then check after dark to see how they are doing. If they are all on the perch and seem content, they are fine. Or if the hen is sleeping on the floor with the chicks, that is also fine. But if the hen is on the perch, and the chicks are peeping unhappily on the floor, you might need to take the perch away again. Some hens are much better than others at judging when their chicks are ready to perch at night.

For keeping warm while perching: mostly their own feathers keep them warm. One or two chicks on each side can be under the mother's wings. Depending on how many chicks, that might mean all are under her wings, or that most are not.

My oeg bantam once they perch, she runs away and starts sleeping on my front porch for several weeks..of course she raises all sorts of chicks..shes been broody 4 times since christmas

My golden sebright raises everything, but opposite problem, she's a helicopter mom,great teacher, by the time they are on their own they can handle themselves well.. but we literally watch her teaching them to fly.she will fly up 4 inches,when all can do it,she goes to a foot ,so on and so forth..teaching them

 

[Jojosine]

You can provide a perch whenever you want, and let them decide when to roost. Then check after dark to see how they are doing. If they are all on the perch and seem content, they are fine. Or if the hen is sleeping on the floor with the chicks, that is also fine. But if the hen is on the perch, and the chicks are peeping unhappily on the floor, you might need to take the perch away again. Some hens are much better than others at judging when their chicks are ready to perch at night.

For keeping warm while perching: mostly their own feathers keep them warm. One or two chicks on each side can be under the mother's wings. Depending on how many chicks, that might mean all are under her wings, or that most are not.

They are now 4 weeks old and almost fully feathered, so I am making perches in their coops. One of the mothers decided to sleep with another mother in the same coop. Two of her chicks we got out of their old coop and put them in with the mum as we thought 44 Fahrenheit was maybe too cold still.