How long after a hen hatchs a chick with she sit on more eggs

[chickenmama109]

Hi I have a broody hen that hatched her first set of eggs only one chicks mayed it and she is a couple weeks old know how long after will she go broody again and will she brood while molting thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depends on the breed and the individual hen. She may go broody again after she resumes laying or maybe never.
Normally, a hen will sit due to a desire to raise a family. She will need to be laying eggs in order to assemble a clutch. After which time, she may decide to set or may not. A molting hen usually doesn't lay eggs so likely won't sit. Not to mention that she'll need a full collection of feathers to keep chicks warm.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I wanted to add that she won't resume laying or sit again as long as she feels the chicks still need mothering.

 

[chickenmama109]

I wanted to add that she won't resume laying or sit again as long as she feels the chicks still need mothering.

Thanks yes she is still sitting under her while they roost it is so cute thabks so much for your help

 

[chickengeorgeto]

... A molting hen usually doesn't lay eggs so likely won't sit. Not to mention that she'll need a full collection of feathers to keep chicks warm.

Not to mention that a mother hen needs all the natural oils that she preens her plumage with. This oil prevents rain water and the dew from penetrating her plumage and chilling or killing her clutch. Unless you were gifted with chickens that were rescued from a oil tanker accident then lose the Dawn detergent baths. Detergents destroy oil, even the natural oils on your hens feathers. Sorry if I hijacked this thread.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Not a problem with me.

 

[chickenmama109]

Not to mention that a mother hen needs all the natural oils that she preens her plumage with. This oil prevents rain water and the dew from penetrating her plumage and chilling or killing her clutch. Unless you were gifted with chickens that were rescued from a oil tanker accident then lose the Dawn detergent baths. Detergents destroy oil, even the natural oils on your hens feathers. Sorry if I hijacked this thread.

Thanks for your help

 

[donaltman3]

I wanted to add that she won't resume laying or sit again as long as she feels the chicks still need mothering.

this was a question I had (sorry to interrupt this thread.) I have hens that hatched chicks 4 weeks ago. When could I expect them adult hens to start back laying eggs?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It really varies with the individual bird, from brood to brood and time of year.
In cold weather a hen will stay with chicks much longer.
One hen I had would mother chicks for 5 or 6 weeks and then one time she was done after two weeks and roosted without them. I just turned her loose with her original flock.
They usually start laying eggs again about a week after they quit sleeping in the nest or on the floor with the chicks.