How long will Broody Hens care for her chicks?

[Chickens14]

I am & my hen are new to being broody hens!!
How long will she care for them.
Thankyou!!!

 

[gmendoza]

until they get to be about 4-6 weeks old,then re-introduce her to the flock.I have an american game hen that is setting on 9 eggs! eggs from Heavy breeds,standards,bantams and game.She is flatter than a pancake!!and very hostile!!

 

[InsaneBreeder]

It all depends....

For her first brood, my frizzle tolerated the chicks for about 3-4 weeks, but she is already getting tired of her first brood and it's only been one week, so I guess it depends on the mother, the chicks, and her overall tolerance.

 

[Lollipop]

Yup, it does depend on the mother, but game hens are usually exceptional mothers and most will brood chicks for 2 months and even then most won`t shun their chicks like other varieties. You be the judge as when enough is enough. After the chicks are fully feathered, at about 6-8 weeks, the hen can be returned to the flock, if you want, or she could possibly stay with them long after she has resumed laying........Pop

 

[andalusn]

I had two of my 7 hens go broody at just about the same time. They both had small hatches and between them there are 3 peeps that are now a month old and look more like dinosaur raptors than chickens. I have been more of an interested observer to the hen/chick raising process. The hens decided to bunk in the same pen but have their own house for nightime. During the day they are taking the peeps further away from the pen and this week have decided to venture to the otherside of the barn which is like a trip to another state for them. Both hens are still mothering and my Cochin will let any of the 3 keep warm under her wings if they want but only one chick is hers

I have noticed as of this last weekend they will not become quite so frantic if the peeps call a lot if separated and in some instances the peeps are the ones hitting the high road for across the yard when they feel brave. I am just playing it by ear and the hens and their chicks spend time each day with the main flock so I think when they actually integrate it will be no big deal.

 

[ams3651]

my hen brooded in a box in the coop separated from the rest of the flock but they could see her and the chicks. When the chicks were 1-2 weeks old I opened the corner so the chicks could go in and out but mom had to stay inside. Another week or so later I allowed her to go in and out on her own too. This became a problem with the older hens coming in and eating the chick food so someone suggested putting their feed in a box with a hole small enough for just them to go in. She was done with them at about 5 weeks I think and actually started pecking them when they came near her so having their brooder for them to go and be away from the others was a handy thing, just made it so the larger hens wouldnt fit inside.