Hen hatched her clutch, now what?

[bbhorsefly]

My OE went broody and hatched out five chicks on Aug 4th. I'm just wondering when she'll start laying again?

 

[junebuggena]

It takes about a month for the brooding hormones to clear the system and for a hen to gain back enough weight. Then she will start laying again. Average time can be anywhere from 3 weeks after hatching to 8 weeks after. Plus, it's almost molting season, which could delay laying even more. Then the days may be too short. This time of year, there is no telling.

 

[carlf]

My broody hen started laying exactly 8 weeks after her she hatched her broody.
She also stopped tolerating the "chicks" being too close to her about that same time.

 

[junebuggena]

I've had it happen in about 3.5 weeks. Each hen is different, and there are a lot of factors that can affect how soon laying starts again.

 

[bbhorsefly]

Thanks!

 

[Shezadandy]

Ours went 42 days including the 3 weeks she sat on the fertile eggs.
She left them at night about the same time she started laying but still looked after them outside for another week or two- then it was "buh-bye!"

 

[simplify]

Tk u all for this info, my bo hen hatched 2 cks who are 4 wks old now. The 3 are in sep pen and I plan to put her back w her flock and babies in with another group of cks from hatchery that are same age as the bo cks.I see that her cks barely fit under her wing when standing up and they are lingering longer away from her while foraging. I think they are with in a week or two of separating on thier own. Will be glad when not in 1ck mode.