Hi,
In early July, I had help from you all with my free range hens who lay their eggs in a dog igloo. I put the igloo in a big cage and the hens beat each other up.... ANYWAY, All hens and chicks are doing well and they have been free range for many weeks now. Mom gets those kids up into the cottonwood tree at dusk. I should video tape that and post it... very fun!
My question is this. The momma hatched out these chicks right after July 4th and is still being protective momma to her 3 remaining chicks. The kids must be 9+ weeks old and are about 2/3 full grown. She is a full-time mom, has no interest in the roosters. It seems like a long time, as other free range moms cut the kids loose earlier. Any ideas on how long she'll keep those kids under her wing?
By the way...have another igloo momma in the chicken jail with 11 new kids. She is a barred rock hen. I have been collecting eggs now in the other igloos. I hope I'm done with babies for winter.
)
In early July, I had help from you all with my free range hens who lay their eggs in a dog igloo. I put the igloo in a big cage and the hens beat each other up.... ANYWAY, All hens and chicks are doing well and they have been free range for many weeks now. Mom gets those kids up into the cottonwood tree at dusk. I should video tape that and post it... very fun!
My question is this. The momma hatched out these chicks right after July 4th and is still being protective momma to her 3 remaining chicks. The kids must be 9+ weeks old and are about 2/3 full grown. She is a full-time mom, has no interest in the roosters. It seems like a long time, as other free range moms cut the kids loose earlier. Any ideas on how long she'll keep those kids under her wing?
By the way...have another igloo momma in the chicken jail with 11 new kids. She is a barred rock hen. I have been collecting eggs now in the other igloos. I hope I'm done with babies for winter.
)
