I know this is far from a record, but my huge Dark Brahma hen has only just decided to part company with her 9 very big chicks of 13.5 weeks.
She was still breaking food up and offering it to the chicks who were starting on typical adolescent behaviour up until 2 days ago.
Momma wandered off (she has been free-ranging with them since 5 weeks of age) and promptly went into an egg box where she sat for 3 hours and is already behaving as though she is ready to hatch another brood.(Obviously not her own!).
I picked her up and checked her thoroughly....no parasites, good feathers and over 9 lbs in weight, so definitely fit for another 'sitting session'.
So how long have others had hens with chicks?
She was still breaking food up and offering it to the chicks who were starting on typical adolescent behaviour up until 2 days ago.
Momma wandered off (she has been free-ranging with them since 5 weeks of age) and promptly went into an egg box where she sat for 3 hours and is already behaving as though she is ready to hatch another brood.(Obviously not her own!).
I picked her up and checked her thoroughly....no parasites, good feathers and over 9 lbs in weight, so definitely fit for another 'sitting session'.
So how long have others had hens with chicks?
