how long / when should

[Chickitita]

chicks hatched Jan4th (9)
...and i hear, in 5wk they can be on their own ??
1st time mom aint trying to leave out the nursing area !!

Question: When is my hen going to start letting my cock his doodle (mate) ??
Should I put the hen chicks and roo together ??

**ALSO**: I CAME IN LAST NIGHT.
MY ROO'S LIL CLAW WAS CAUGHT IN THE CAGE AND HE TORE IT OFF, i GUESS.
IT WAS THICK DROPS OF BLOOD ON THE FLOOR. THE WOUND DRIED ITSELF.
i WASHED, SANITIZED, PUT VASELINE AND A BAND-AID.
HE BEEN EATING DRINKING JUST NOT JUMPING LIKE A GAME FOWL DOES.

ANY SUGGESTIONS \ TIPS FOR THE HEALTH OF THE ROO ??

 

[bobbi-j]

I usually let hens and chicks in with the flock anywhere from 24 hours to a week after hatch. It's good for them to get acquainted with the flock while mama still has her protective broody hormones going on. Some hens will wean their chicks at a month or so, some don't wean them until they're 2-3 months old.

I'd leave the rooster be and let his foot heal on its own.

 

[azygous]

You could let the broody hen bring her chicks out to the flock anytime. Just keep an eye on things until you see that she is going to be fiercely protective of her chicks. Most chickens, including roosters, are afraid of broody hens.

She isn't going to let the rooster mate her until she's weaned her chicks. She's not going to be laying eggs during this time, so she simply isn't interested in mating.

By "little claw" I assume you mean the spur on the rear of the rooster's leg. Don't worry about it. It's designed to come off when it gets hung up on something. It's just the horny outer part. A new one will grow back over the next couple months.