hatching babies

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Update:7 weeks later we still have 6 chicks, and they free range with momma and the other hens in our yard all day. Pepper is a great mom, and the other 2 adults have accepted the chicks into the flock. She still feeds her chicks first when we give treats, and jumps to pick raspberries for them off our plants. I hear at some point she will push them away. Any idea at what age that happens?

We had a brief panic yesterday when we came home to find a bunch of white chicken feathers and some meaty material in the back yard. None of ours are white though, and all are accounted for so it looks like a hawk left some remains of a neighbors bird.

We have no idea how to tell which of our chicks will be roosters. The boys will have to go soon because we live in the city, so we're pretty much just waiting for them to crow? I heard you can tell by their feet but I'm not sure what to look for. They're all silkies. Any advice for city folk that don't know how to sex chickens?
 
Silkies are hard to sex until about 6 months old. Generally you have to wait til it crows or lays an egg.

As for when the momma pushes away the babies, it will probably happen any day now. They are getting old enough to take care of themselves and when she is ready to start laying again, she will push them away. So enjoy this family now, as it is going to break up soon! :)
 
Thank you! She actually started laying again last week. She's the only girl who lays white eggs so we know it's her. The chicks are venturing away from her in the yard but she's still really protective about getting them back to the coop in the evening. This has been so much fun for us to watch! We'll definitely be up for hatching again if we have a cooperative broody hen.
 
You are lucky she is still watching over her babies! How cute! Usually when they get back to laying, they let the babies go. Good luck and enjoy your flocks! :)
 

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