Chicks being raised by broody hen

[bvallang]

I've searched quite a bit on this forum and other websites, but can't seem to find a good answer.

I have a broody hen who hatched 6 chicks about 6-7 weeks ago. Last I checked earlier this week, they have not started to roost at night yet and sleep under/near momma in a plastic bin on the ground in the corner. Which is where they have been sleeping since I got them from a friend and put them in my coop. At one point I hung the nest boxes, but found them in there one night, so immediately just took them down since momma isn't laying again yet.

I have two roosts with poop board and ladders in the coop (one higher, one lower) - they both have ladders, just didn't have the one up when I took the photo. I put them in about 3 weeks ago. They seem to climb around on them a little, but never sleep on them at night. When should I expect that momma will get them up on the roosts at night? Should I attempt to intervene and put them up there? - Note, I doubt this will go well as they haven't been handled much at all given the broody momma is still only now warming up to me and would puff/charge if I went to touch her chicks (momma wasn't handled much by the friends that gifted her and the chicks to me). So I've been patient, feeding treats and such every time I go out to do chores in their coop/run.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mom will take them to roost when she feels they are ready. Some try to do it the first week, and others are still on the ground 2 months in. I always just leave them be except for when mom takes them up too soon.

 

[bvallang]

I just find it strange given that they fly around like crazy and perch up on a very tall ladder that I have in the run. But I have never seen/caught momma higher than the lowest rung on the ladder or up on the roosts. Wonder what it is that lets her know they are ready to roost at night, hrm?

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would not intervene. The momma will bring them to the roost when she's ready. I have a hen raising chicks right now too, and the babies, who are 10 weeks old, are still sleeping in the nest with her.

 

[bvallang]

Welp, settled then to just leave them be. Maybe this will make it easier if they are just only barely starting to roost when I integrate the 10, nearly two week old chicks I'm raising in my basement brooder, ha!