Broody not weaning the chicks

[wild chick]

I totally like to leave things up to the chickens, but wondering if I should interfere - I love this broody hen, she took excellent care of chicks last year (weaned at 6 - 7 weeks) so I let her hatch some more this year - only 2 chicks, but tomorrow they are 9 weeks old, and she is still not roosting, the 3 are piled up in the dog house/broody nest every night. I really don't care, just wondering if this is healthy. The chicks are both male so eventual freezer fodder/doesn't matter if they learn to integrate with the flock. Everyone free ranges. She takes them all over the place, but still clucks & shows them food, and doesn't mingle too close to the rest of the flock at feeding time. LOL, I was mad at another broody this summer for leaving her chicks at 4 weeks, and they turned out ok, but wish that mama had spent another couple of weeks integrating them with the flock like this one. Also, slight molt going on with this mama, she lost her tail, but no hard molt, comb & wattles still pale so not going into a laying mode - is that what keeps her from leaving the chicks?

 

[Morrigan]

I wouldn't worry. Some hens are just reluctant to let go, but they will eventually. I've had hen's mother until the "chicks" were 11 weeks old. I've heard of hens mothering beyond that. I'd take a hen that has trouble letting go, over a hen that cuts them loose at 3 or 4 weeks old (which I've had as well).

 

[Folly's place]

Me too. Some broody hens take care of them longer, and that's a good thing in my opinion. She'll be over it by the time they go to 'freezer camp', and she's a keeper!
Mary

 

[Ohmyheart]

My chicks are almost laying and my broody is still going to check up on them. She still sleeps with them at night on the roost all cuddled up.

 

[Folly's place]

Family groups will stay together, and that includes brooder raised chicks, who are 'family' too.
Mary

 

[wild chick]

Thank everyone! Yup, She's my go-to broody - her name is Gretchen. When Black Caviar gave up hers at a couple days over 4 weeks I felt so bad for them - but she laid an egg shortly after so I know she had her reasons, but still, I won't ever let her sit eggs again. She's a great layer, and I'll keep her for that. Gretchen however can have a clutch every summer! I hate to interfere, so sometimes I just have to ask to make sure I'm not letting something happen that will turn into unwanted behavior down the road. After 2 1/2 years, I still feel like a newbie!

 

[chickens really]

My Chicks are 11 weeks and my Hen still sleeps with them on the floor. It's hilarious to see her wing lifted way up and a huge chick under it.....I definitely don't worry. She will wean when she is ready.

 

[Shadrach]

Almost three months is the record here. Mum had even taken the chicks back to the tribe coop which here often indicated the end of the mothering.
Mum only stopped because she sat again!

 

[Morrigan]

My uber dedicated Mom -- still trying to squeeze into the nest box with them.

 

[Shorty22366]

I have a broody who hatched 2 11 weeks ago and hatched 5 3 weeks ago and they all get in the nest box at night together and during the day the older ones help protect and teach the younger ones.