how long after chicks hatch does a hen usually start to lay again?

[leeboyz337]

i have a year old buff orpington setting that was broody and is setting on 5 eggs that i know are fertile and should hatch. i checked them by candling. how long after they hatch should she start to lay eggs again?

 

[sonew123]

When she gets sick of being a momma USUALLY around 4-6 weeks

Good luck with your hatch!

 

[Namres]

How long would it take if one takes the chicks away once they have hatched for a hen to lay again?

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
Why would you do that to her? She's worked so hard to have those babies

Not a good idea IMO...It still takes a long time for her to lay an egg-It might shorten her return time by a week or so-there's no point making her sad ( and she will be very sad trust me) by taking away her babies just to get and extra 4-7 eggs...

 

[Namres]

The last time I let mommy have her chicks, I lost 12 out of 16 to predators. Currently the setup does not leave me another option to deal with the chicks.

We currently have around 60 happy chicks in their predator safe enclosure.

Personally I would love to have them grow up with mommy, it does not only look sweet, but it also makes work easier. Mostly however we do not leave the hens breed, but use the incubator.

 

[leeboyz337]

Quote:
what i did was i built a separate mommy hatching and raising coop not to big but big enough for her and the babies. but safe from predators.

 

[Namres]

what i did was i built a separate mommy hatching and raising coop not to big but big enough for her and the babies. but safe from predators.

Thats what we are busy with now!​