Hen weaning chicks too early.

[Top Rooster]

I had a hen hatch chicks on June 19th so that's a little less than 4 weeks ago and she is already pecking her chicks and she payed an egg yesterday I have not heard her make a broody cluck all day and yesterday she made very few clucks. Why would she wean her chicks so early? They seem too young to be on their own. I once had a hen who had chicks and then she was attacked by a rooster and forcefully mounted and shortly after that she weaned her chicks after that I think that may have been the reason in that situation but i have no idea on this one we don't have a rooster right now.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Have they feathered out yet?

 

[Top Rooster]

Not all of the some have been slower to feather out but 2 are fully feathered.

 

[Mylied]

I don't think four weeks is too early. Heck, my showgirl was sitting on a new nest of eggs 4 weeks after hatching her first batch. They should be fine.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Not sure but could it be she just thinks they're ready? Keep checking back in case some has a better idea on why, but in the meantime just keep an eye on them. As long as everyone is doing well I'd let her be.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

See there, she popped in before I could even finish my post...

 

[lazy gardener]

Could be that the weather is warmer, so... she's done her job.