mama hen laying eggs

[Mccluckers]

i have a mummy hen with three,4 week old chicks. today she played her first egg since the hatch,she still sleeps on the floor with the chicks, calls hem for food...etc

what is going on?

i thought they were meant to wean the chicks first then resume laying!

 

[sourland]

Many hens will resume laying while still caring for the previous brood of chicks.

 

[Mccluckers]

how long is it generally from when they start laying to when they abandon the chicks?

thanks

 

[sourland]

It varies from hen to hen. I have had hens whose chicks stay with them until the next clutch is set upon. Usually the weaning is a gradual process. Some roosters will also assume a certain amount of responsibility for the chicks - generally in smaller harem situations.

 

[Mccluckers]

one of the chicks has gone missing! i am so upset!

 

[little buddy]

One of mine is missing also. I know just how you feel. Mine are free ranging with mom and loving it but it comes with some risk.

 

[Mccluckers]

Exactly the same situation!