Can a poor mother hen turn around?

[ChickensinnorthIdaho]

Last year, I grafted day-old feed store chicks onto a broody Astrolorp (setting for about 21 days). That was her first time raising chicks. She was a great mother until the chicks were about 3 weeks old. Then she lost all interest in them and returned to her bachelorette ways. The chicks ended up just fine- I had a Buff Orpington who was raising another batch of chicks, and she let the orphans tag along with her during the day, and I set up a heat pad for warmth at night. But it was rough on them and I felt bad. So Astrolorp is now broody again, and I’d like to get chicks soon. But I’m hesitant to allow her to be a mother again. Now that she is experienced, do you think she will stay with the chicks until 6 weeks or so? Or is this just her personality/mothering style and I’d better not risk another early weaning? Any thoughts or stories from past experiences would be appreciated!! Thank you!

 

[WallyG74]

All you can do is try. A Dominique burned me twice, but I gave her a shot at it. She would leave her eggs half way into the 21 days. She went broody after that but I never gave her eggs again. Give the ole girl another shot.

 

[Sussex19]

One of my hens does that.
She always does, sometimes 3 weeks, sometimes 4.
Her chicks couldn't care less, and just snuggle down in a nesting box.
Maybe we just worry about our chicken to much?
I certainly did the first time she did it, but she is an excellent mother in other ways, so I just leave her to it now.

 

[AUChickenGal]

Weaning the chicks at 3 weeks doesn't make her a poor mother. That's normal for a lot of hens. If she successfully raised healthy chicks to 3 weeks of age, then it sounds like she did her job well.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Weaning the chicks at 3 weeks doesn't make her a poor mother. That's normal for a lot of hens. If she successfully raised healthy chicks to 3 weeks of age, then it sounds like she did her job well.