How to tell when she's done being a mommy??

[TAMMACLEAN]

I have a cochin that hatched 4 little babies about 3 weeks ago. She and the babies are in a seperate coop away from the bigger chickens. I am wondering when momma will be ready to try and go back in the big coop. She has been acting like she wants out and away from the babies. She has started squating again and pacing back and forth in front of the door. It's like she wants out and away. If I take her out the babies just peep and chirp for momma. Plus how hard will it be to put her back with her original flock??

 

[aoxa]

Let her out WITH the babies. She needs to integrate them into the flock. It's the #1 benefit of using a broody in my opinion.

Also, had a barred rock that quit her babies early as well. She started to roost at 2 weeks, but wanted her babies to roost with her. She continued to feed and hang out with them up to week 6. She still hangs with them and never nips at them. She integrated them into the flock.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Let her out WITH the babies. She needs to integrate them into the flock. It's the #1 benefit of using a broody in my opinion.
Also, had a barred rock that quit her babies early as well. She started to roost at 2 weeks, but wanted her babies to roost with her. She continued to feed and hang out with them up to week 6. She still hangs with them and never nips at them. She integrated them into the flock.

The babies seem so tiny compared to the other chickens..I just worry they might get picked on. When would be a good time to add them? Maybe in the morning when everyone is eating treats? Or at night when everyone is locked in the coop for bed time?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Let her out WITH the babies. She needs to integrate them into the flock. It's the #1 benefit of using a broody in my opinion.

I agree.

 

[aoxa]

The babies seem so tiny compared to the other chickens..I just worry they might get picked on. When would be a good time to add them? Maybe in the morning when everyone is eating treats? Or at night when everyone is locked in the coop for bed time?

Let them out now. Or as soon as you can go down.

Here is my hen with her 7 babies. She is not a protective broody, so I waited until they were 3 weeks. When they could run fast enough to get out of harms way. The first few days I worried... Janet would run away if the boys came near. She would take off to the other side of the property, leaving her babies behind. They eventually figured out to follow her. Now they are six weeks old. All are doing VERY well! If I have dual parenting going on, I let them out as soon as they are eating and drinking regularly (maybe 3 days after hatch). That way they have two hens watching them. It depends on the mother for the most part. I had an Orp that I would trust as a single mom on day 3. She was brutal! I also have a silkie like this.

Here is an example of dual parenting of 21 chicks. That RSL and that silkie are not the parents. Just parts of the flock. Being flogged teaches them to accept the bitties

I might just have a very chillaxed flock though. Everyone is very good with little chicks.

 

[bucky52]

thanks for posting this.as i'am in the same situation.guess its time to intergrate mommy and chick with the rest of their flock.we are having some cold nights and i worry that the baby may get chilled.i have set up a brooder light in mommy and babys run.and baby stands under it while mommy is doing her thing.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

thanks for posting this.as i'am in the same situation.guess its time to intergrate mommy and chick with the rest of their flock.we are having some cold nights and i worry that the baby may get chilled.i have set up a brooder light in mommy and babys run.and baby stands under it while mommy is doing her thing.

I have a light aimed at the coop. I figured that way momma and the babies would have a little extra heat since it's just them. But she seems eagar to get out. I guess we will move them. I could use the small coop for other chickens anyway. I may need the small coop in a few weeks anyway, i have another broody hen in the main coop. She is only on one egg though, at least after I take the other ones she tries to keep.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Let them out now. Or as soon as you can go down.

Here is my hen with her 7 babies. She is not a protective broody, so I waited until they were 3 weeks. When they could run fast enough to get out of harms way. The first few days I worried... Janet would run away if the boys came near. She would take off to the other side of the property, leaving her babies behind. They eventually figured out to follow her. Now they are six weeks old. All are doing VERY well!
If I have dual parenting going on, I let them out as soon as they are eating and drinking regularly (maybe 3 days after hatch).
That way they have two hens watching them.
It depends on the mother for the most part. I had an Orp that I would trust as a single mom on day 3. She was brutal! I also have a silkie like this.

Here is an example of dual parenting of 21 chicks. That RSL and that silkie are not the parents. Just parts of the flock. Being flogged teaches them to accept the bitties

I might just have a very chillaxed flock though. Everyone is very good with little chicks.

So cute! I hope it goes well here. The nice thing is that there is one rooster in with the rest of the girls, and he is a silkie so I think he will be okay. I am going to wait untill my kids get home. That way we will have more eyes on the chickens just in case there is a problem. plus they get mad when I do things with the chickens without them. They love the chickens!

 

[aoxa]

So cute! I hope it goes well here. The nice thing is that there is one rooster in with the rest of the girls, and he is a silkie so I think he will be okay. I am going to wait untill my kids get home. That way we will have more eyes on the chickens just in case there is a problem. plus they get mad when I do things with the chickens without them. They love the chickens!

My silkie rooster is in love with my babies. He feeds them, keeps them warm, and warns them of danger. They really look up to him!

I just love silkies Wait for your kids. Let them all out. Don't intervene unless absolutely necessary. Let the mom take care of it. The older birds will be interested in the babies. They may give them a peck or two. Hopefully your broody will be protective! Is she still be-bopping around?

 

[bucky52]

i'am concern that if mommy goes on the roost and baby is left on the floor.the baby may chill.