Length of time poults should stay with mom

[sashacat]

My wonderful RP mama hatched out 6 of 8 eggs and now has lovely 6 week old poults! How long should I let them together? Any thoughts? They are in their own covered run and she still seems to want to care for them. Will she let me know some how when it is time to remove her? The tom was moved into the chicken coop and they really don't appreciate the big moose in there. He and his wife need to get their own house again.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Some mama hens will let them stay around for a long time. Others may kick them to the curb. I once had a hen that let her young ones stay with her until they were about 3 months old. Then the poults decided to pack up and leave home. They left her. lol

I would keep them together until they are big enough to care for themselves. Will they be with other birds when you release them?

 

[sashacat]

Depending on numbers... I want to mix them later with another batch of 6 that are about 12 weeks old right now. I think I will be separating them by sex so as to hopefully avoid fights and injuries. The hens are for my flock, most of the toms will be thanksgiving.