HEN RECOVERY TIME AFTER LOOSING CHICKS

[centrarchid]

Over last few days I have had three hens hatch off broods successfully. For productivity reasons chicks where pulled from hens and placed in brooder well away from hens. I am watching behavior to determine when normal / non-broody behavior resumes. I am assuming that when broody without chicks they imprinted on that hens are under mental stress. Two hens at 24 hours and one hen at 72 hours are still clucking and balling up. Feed intake seems less than with non-broody even though foraging behavior is not restricted by investment in chick care. All three hens exhibit interest in very small chicks not their own but those chicks are not bonded to hens being observed. Such hens without chicks are prone to get into fights with hens having chicks.

 

[Mrs. K]

I let my broody hen raise my chicks right in the flock. That is understanding the chicken's biology.

 

[centrarchid]

That is norm for my games some select dominiques. This is an observation that can be related to others more interested in how hen responds when things do not work out so they can understand limitations of chicken biology.

 

[ll]

Are you trying some kind of science experiment?
Why let a great broody hatch & then take the chicks right away?
She'll teach them how to eat and keep them warm without electricity usage.
After weeks of sitting on eggs she should benefit from exercise and gaining some weight back, no?
Beware hens allowed to sitsitsit can easily get mites/lice infestation which can lead to anemia.

*For productivity reasons* Aww they're still puffing up too? Give 'em a well-deserved break

 

[centrarchid]

Are you trying some kind of science experiment?
Why let a great broody hatch & then take the chicks right away?
She'll teach them how to eat and keep them warm without electricity usage.
After weeks of sitting on eggs she should benefit from exercise and gaining some weight back, no?
Beware hens allowed to sitsitsit can easily get mites/lice infestation which can lead to anemia.

*For productivity reasons* Aww they're still puffing up too? Give 'em a well-deserved break

Simply recording observations.

In this instance it reduces stress induced by rearing for subsequent 5 to 12 weeks.

Much of the skills associated with foraging are innate, I can also rear groups in company of adult rooster where they get same education as provided by hen.

Electricity consumption is currently not a major issue.

Hens with broods pulled will get more exercise and gain weight back quicker. Normally hen weight declines further following hatch until brood becomes more mobile and hen can forage more to meet her needs.

My hens are free-range during reconditioning period, as a result mites are not problematic.