This is all very interesting to me. Ours are going on 9 weeks now and while Momma doesn't dote on them any longer, the chicks will still run to her when scared and they all seem to enjoy "hanging." They still perch by her at night... so far every night that I've checked. She makes room for them. The young ones are learning about the pecking order and when one of the other hens (or even the roo) lines them out, Mom doesn't interfere with that part any longer. Just a few weeks ago, however, blood would be shed if someone dissed her chix. Just like any other animal (or humans for that matter) I guess there is a wide range of "normal" behaviour.
