Mother hen left 4 week olds

[NeeCee51]

Four weeks ago one of my hens hatched 5 babies and as it turned out another hen helped her co-parent. They went everywhere together. About a week ago one of the hens distanced herself from them and went back to being with the rooster. Today the mother hen did that too and pecks at them when they come close. they are only 4 weeks old yesterday. They are pretty self sufficient as far as foraging and dust bathing. If she doesn't let them sleep with her tonight I am not sure what to do with them. I have them in the chicken tractor right now and they don't seem stressed at all. They don't even chirp for her anymore. I think I may have to be the mom for a while at least till they are bigger and can hold their own against the other chickens. Any advice would really be appreciated.

 

[AmericanMom]

Perfectly normal.. I have a hen that like clockwork leaves the chicks at a few days shy of 5 weeks.. Because my flock free ranges 1/2 acre and because I am completely set with plenty of chick room this year I have started just taking them. Once I see her leaving them during the day for short periods I watch her, I go to the coop at night to make sure she is on them or atleast roosting with them, if I see the babies by themselves and her on the roost I swoop in and take them . They go to a grow out pen within the area the flock free ranges so when I feel they are ready and better able to defend/care for themselves I take them to the coop and shut of the chick area

 

[centrarchid]

With mine the chicks are allowed / promoted to roost up if possible. Roost site is made so chicks can avoid aggression of older birds yet easy for me to monitor and protect from predators. By 4 weeks the chicks can thermoregulate reasonably well but still are not all that resistant to heavy rains.

 

[NeeCee51]

Thanks so much...good to know. Last night the adult chickens and rooster went into the coop first and got up on the roosts. Then the babies went in and went right into the area that they had been sleeping with their mom. I am thinking this might be the way to do it for a little while. When I let them out this morning they went right to the chicken tractor and began foraging. I will let them out for a few hours so they can run around outside the tractor. Thanks again

 

[NeeCee51]

I have a roost in the chicken tractor and really know how to use it. Last night they slept in the area where mom used to be with them. Guess I will be the mom for a little while. Thanks so much...

 

[centrarchid]

That is where I see a difference with mother hen rank within flock / harem. Broods of high ranking hens get to roost next to rooster before weaning and pattern maintained even after they are weaned. Lower ranking hens are not generally able to get their young roosting up in the preferred locations. This is particularly evident when the hen to rooster ratio is high.

 

[WthrLady]

MIne started laying again at 3 weeks, and really doesn't pay much attention to the chicks at all now. She wanders off in totally the opposite direction from them. She might pay them mind, buy usually not when they tag after her. They do pile on at night when she roosts, but after about half an hour, they have their own spot on the roosting bar.

HUGE plus over brooding box babies, they learn how to ROOST! I have 13 week old that still don't use the bar, but rather perch on the edge of the poop board. Goofballs.

I much prefer broody hatched and flock raised chicks!

 

[centrarchid]

Most of my hens will interact with their offspring for quite some time after they are weaned (clucking ceases). Hen will still defend their interest. A currently weaning a small brood has all but stopped clucking and even though she tidbit calls to offspring, she now gets her share and solicits the male to mate with her. She is building her weight up to lay another clutch. This pattern will be maintained until she goes broody again, then she will reject current brood. For them all is well because dad will still operate on their behalf. They will still likely get the privileged roosting position very near their dad. Especially when other threats (other hens) also committed to their own ground clutches and broods.