My hen's chicks are 11 weeks old and she still mothers them and isn't laying eggs.

[Hholly]

Any thoughts or opinions on the situation would be appreciated.

 

[cavemanrich]

My opinion is YOU HAVE A GREAT MOTHER HEN. Her interests are to protect her flock and look after them. What a beautiful thing.. In time when the chicks become totally independent, her egg laying should return to normal.. Post some pix of this wonderful family.. What breed are they.???

WISHING YOU BEST

 

[Hholly]

Well thanks! I just thought it was a little unusual for a hen to act like mommy for this long.

Since you asked, here are a couple of pics.

Here are some of the "chicks" just chillin', a few weeks ago.


Here's momma and the chicks when they were little. They're all mixed breeds.

 

[donrae]

This time of year, it's not uncommon for a hen not to resume laying after weaning her chicks. I agree she's mothering them quite a while and were it I, and I wanted the eggs, I might try separating momma and babies and see if that would help trigger her laying again.

 

[cavemanrich]

separating momma and babies

THAT JUST TEARS AT MY HEARTSTRINGS.

 

[Hholly]

This time of year, it's not uncommon for a hen not to resume laying after weaning her chicks. I agree she's mothering them quite a while and were it I, and I wanted the eggs, I might try separating momma and babies and see if that would help trigger her laying again.

Ok, thanks. She's the boss hen too so she may be a real control freak and can't let go. Soon a few of the babies will start laying anyway, and she will have to give up. It's funny though, the roosters are crowing and sparring, and she still has to go around showing them tidbits.

 

[aart]

That's the longest I've heard of....is there an adult cockbird around?
Pretty soon her cockerel 'chicks' may go Oedipal on her.

 

[donrae]

I normally don't advocate separating momma and babies, but this seems to be kind of a failure to launch thing

. I wouldn't say to pull babies less than 6 weeks away, but these are twice that. And yeah, pretty soon the cockerels are gonna start looking at momma in a whole new light

 

[Hholly]

Well, soon the boys will be gone. (Free to any takers, btw)

Thanks for the responses. I didn't think it was entirely normal.