How Long Did Your Broody Stay With Her Chicks?

[SproutGirl]

Hi There,
I have a question for those of you who have had hens raise your chicks. How long did she stay with the chicks after they hatched? Our hen hatched her brood on the 21st of November and has now just decided that she is done with the little ones and is now back to laying eggs--3 in 2 days! Can't blame her really, but I was just wondering how long others' hens brooded. Thanks!

 

[CK Chickadilly]

I guess my broody has taken it way to far....she hatched them at the end of August & is still with her 2 girls & 1 little roo (the rest I sold). They all hang together yet & she still clucks at them......

 

[Teresaann24]

My girl always starts laying again when the chicks are about 5 weeks old and 2 or 3 weeks after beginging to lay again she goes broody still with her chicks. I have always removed her chicks at that point but I am sure she would keep them as long as they were there...lol

 

[RooptyDoo]

My silkie momma has been taking care of her babies since August and is still taking care of them now. She has even started laying again.

 

[Marlinchaser]

I put mine(3) back with the regular flock and seperated the babies to thier own pen after about a month, after 2 days the hens returned to normal and stopped looking for babies. and are back to laying eggs.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

Quote:
Ditto here except mama isn't laying any eggs yet & the other OEGBs aren't either for that matter!

 

[silkiechicken]

Mine normally do their setting thing, play mommy for 5 weeks or so, start the detachment process, and are back to normal by 6-7 weeks. Usually lets her baby or babies snuggle in though for a few months.

 

[SproutGirl]

Wow, you guys have some good momma hens! Our RIR Frieda is totally done with her babies. She roots up on the big chicken perch (rafter) and leaves the babies down below on the kid roosts and straw. She'll even shoo them away from her at times with little pecks! It all just happened a few days ago--she lost that glazed over broody loom in her eyes and said, see ya kids!

 

[NEK38583]

I always seperate them when my hen starts to lay again. That is how I always knew that it was time. That was just me through, but it always has seem to work