This is my first time with a broody, and she has only one chick she is raising. How long does the mama hen take a role in raising the chick?
Here is my issue: I have other chicks the same age as this one in a brooder, which I will be integrating with the rest of the flock when they are about 16 weeks old. I would like to put the lone chick in with the others that are her age at some point. I had planned to let mama integrate the single chick into the flock, but despite the mama's best efforts to defend it, the chick was injured by another hen and I am keeping them separate for now. At some point, does the mama hen leave the chick on it's own, or will she be sticking by it's side for many, many weeks? I can't figure out how I will blend them all into the same flock.
I appreciate any advice!
Here is my issue: I have other chicks the same age as this one in a brooder, which I will be integrating with the rest of the flock when they are about 16 weeks old. I would like to put the lone chick in with the others that are her age at some point. I had planned to let mama integrate the single chick into the flock, but despite the mama's best efforts to defend it, the chick was injured by another hen and I am keeping them separate for now. At some point, does the mama hen leave the chick on it's own, or will she be sticking by it's side for many, many weeks? I can't figure out how I will blend them all into the same flock.
I appreciate any advice!