Broody Hen with 3 Week Old Chick Laid an Egg

[Robert G]

So...my broody hen with one chick laid an egg this morning. I do mix her feed and chick starter together and I know both have lots of protein. Is that the reason or is she getting ready to leave her chick soon? My last broody hen left her chicks at one month, but I've had some broody hens that have gone almost 2 months with their chicks.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Each hen will be different when they ditch the chicks sometimes even each time will be different...

I feed a flock raiser (20%protein) with oyster shell on the side. I don't wan't my chicks eating layer, its too much calcium. But mama and your other hens if have them will do fine on non medicated starter as long as oyster shell is available free choice on the side.

 

[Robert G]

Did she lay the egg because she has alot of protein and vitamins? Never had a hen lay an egg while she had chicks with her. I guess there's a first time and I learn something new each time. Love the resources this site has and the knowledgeable people as well.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Did she lay the egg because she has alot of protein and vitamins?

Good nutrition certainly impacts EVERY thing!

But returning to lay is hormonal. It can vary according to how long they sat before hatching and other things like that.

I have had several moms return to lay before completely booting the babes. But they somehow always manage to tell the babes to stay put until they return! It isn't usually too long after that before they get the full boot.

I wonder if it might be triggered slightly by how much the chicks spend time warming up or seeming needy. The more independent the chicks are seems to encourage mum to let it go.

 

[aart]

Did she lay the egg because she has alot of protein and vitamins?

That can help for sure...new feed regime since your last broody hatch?

My last broody laid before totally weaning chicks, at 4 weeks.
She was roosting with flock the next night after laying, tho she still catered to them during the day.

Think it depends on how fast they regain condition, which could also depend on how well they stay in condition during incubation.

 

[Robert G]

Thank you for all the replies. It seems like each day she is getting less broody.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thank you for all the replies. It seems like each day she is getting less broody.

That is normal.

My hens usually take the chicks to roost with the for a little while, at least long enough to teach them. And yes still tend them a bit during the day.

I like it when the hens can gradually cut the string!

 

[Robert G]

Well today she laid her 3rd egg. I decided to open the gate to her coop and she flew right out. She left her chick behind and went straight back to her roo. I felt bad for her chick all alone, but the other broody hen next to them immediately started to call the chick when it was crying. I caught the chick and placed it with that broody and surprisingly she took it in. I'm so surprised on how Black Cochin hens are so motherly. The chick now has a sister/brother. I watched them for a while and no harm was done to the chick. It even flew on top of her back and both chicks went under her for the night. I will check on them tomorrow morning.

 

[Robert G]

And now another broody started laying eggs. She has laid 2 eggs so far.