How old are the chicks when you finially take them away from Momma?

[stormylady]

Diamond (white silkie) hatched out 5 babies, 8/9 weeks ago and she is still mothering them, some of them are almost as big as she is, my question is when should I seperate her from her chicks. Even though she is still Mothering these chicks, I need the space for a nother broody.
Everytime I go to get one of her chicks she attacks me and bites hard not just a peck either. Its more like a dog with a rag toy, its a grab , pinch, hang on and twisty kinda bite. She is normally so sweet but these chicks made her into a little devil Mom. Is she going to freak out when I take them? whats the best way to do it? Thanks Sandy


here is a picture of Momma Diamonds and her Kiddos.

 

[TinyTotsSeramas]

she'll probably freak out - yes
to take them away - put her in one pen and put the babies in another on the other side of the property where they can not see each other and better yet if you can put them where they cant even hear each other for a week. by the end of the week they should forget about each other.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Thankyou, I will give it ago! for future Reference, LOL, what is the right age to seperate a mother and her chicks if need be. I mean an age that they no longer need to be in a brooder or their mother for warmth and so on. I know that I (when I keep chicks in a brooder) they usually stay indoors longer than needed,) but if there hatched outside and raised in a coop with there mother are they more able to cope with weather changes and that type of thing? Just wondering because I have a broody that will be going into the pen next as soon as I get Diamond and her chickies out. I would like to rotate them as soon as possible because like I said , I have very limited space. Thanks again , Sandy

 

[shelleyd2008]

I don't separate the babies from my mamas unless the mamas do something stupid. But I also don't put them in small cages where mom has no choice but to mother them either

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Problem is the area that there in is about 4 feet wide and about 5 feet long plus the brooder box which is about 3 feet square and they do get out to free range I own 3 lots here in town and they have the run of it WHILE Im outside only though, but , But eventually they will have to go into the big coop with the others (mixed breeds.) that kinda scares me. At least until I find them new homes. I was wondering if you left your broody hens to hatch and raise her babys in with the main flock?, I'm kinda afraid that the big chickens will kill the young birds? I've never had that happen but heard alot of stories about it and I was too scared to do it. LOL. Diamonds never done anything stupid with her chicks but she bites the crap out of me when I try and get the chicks out. (But that really don't count, she is just trying to be a really good momma). Momma and chicks regularly fly the coop to free range so I don't think there being forced to stay together but I don't know? I do lock them up together at night in the brooder box that is covered in hardware cloth for safetys sake. the pen its self for daytime is just chicken wire and low enough for them to get out it seems. Thanks again , Sandy

 

[Beekissed]

I don't separate mama and chicks, but just integrate into the flock. She will eventually just fade out of their lives when she gets back into the social network of the flock. Those chicks are well big enough to integrate along with Mom...it just needs to be done well. I free range, so I've never had a difficulty with confined chickens picking on one another but I still have my broody pen situated where the flock can see and hear the new family but have no physical contact.

By the time I integrate they are merely curious but the mama usually puts any overly curious hens to flight. Sounds like your mama hen is tough enough to fend off any overly rambuctious hens.

Let them free range together all day and monitor the results....I bet by nightfall the flock will be well used to the family and you will probably find mama roosting with the rest of the flock while the chicks either follow suit or bed down below the roosts.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Thankyou!! Mom and babies have been outside in the brooder box next to the main pen/coop since they were about 2 weeks and they do free range with my 3 yr old SS hen and 5 of the 18 week old SS chicks, and they seem to get along fine, but they are very low in the pecking order and very sweet, however the silkie chicks stick like glue to Momma and Momma doesn't let them get too close to her babies, And Yeah Diamond is Tiny, but she is one tough little cookie!!
So the plan is to let the SS out with Diamond and the chicks and let out a few of the other girls tomarrow should I let the dominant hen out first with them and see how she reacts? and then some of the other hens? Or just let them all go at the same time? Marta, head hen just took over the flock as I lost Maisy top hen a little while back due to heat so she is being very aggressive to the lower ranking hens, She still bosses the SS chicks around alot but there FAST to get away! Or just let them all go at the same time, sheesh this is scary! LOL .

I think your right I just got to do it!!! I will be out with them! and see what happens! They look big standing next to Momma but there so small in comparison to the other girls and Diamond is sooooo tiny!

I'm so making this much harder than it needs to be aren't I!!

 

[Beekissed]

yeah....but that's okay. Everyone does the first time you have chicks....but you would be amazed at how fast those chicks learn to avoid the older, crankier hens. They won't get seriously hurt, just a few pecks to the head. Let them all out at once and let the chicks....er...chips...fall where they may. It'll be alright...sounds like your hen is small but mighty...I've never had a broody mama attack me like you describe!

Good luck and keep us posted....might want to keep a light rod or stick for your first monitoring of the situation. When the flock leader gets too interested in the chicks, I'd give her a tap on the back or backside to get her to "move along, nothing to see here, ma'am!" She'll get the picture...if not, I have a feeling your little silky will tear her a new one!

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
...I've never had a broody mama attack me like you describe!
Yeah and she is normally such a sweetheart, She did a 180 in the personality dept. LOL go figure! Ok its a plan then, but I will have my chicken stick available. LOL Hey thanks for all the support! It really helps alot!

I will keep ya posted as to the progress! Thanks again Sandy

 

[poseygrace]

I agree, turn 'em all loose to free range, keep an eye out for a few days, and the Mama will move on as they all integrate into the flock. Good luck!