Question on after chicks hatch

[emmalemons]

So does a broody hen after her chicks hatch immediately start laying eggs again? Also how do I stop mamma from eating chick feed and stop chicks from eating later feed!?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

She will care for the chicks and won't lay eggs till they are 'weaned' from her care. This time of year she will likely molt before egg laying resumes.
If she went off to the nest to lay an egg, there would be no one to protect the chicks.
They will eat each other's food so you can't feed layer feed. The chick starter won't hurt the hen, especially since she has been fasting for 3 weeks.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

First of all, you need to separate her and the chicks away from the other chickens. Just feed them chick feed. Since the hen is not laying, it will not hurt her.

She won't lay until the chicks are weaned from her care.

 

[emmalemons]

She will care for the chicks and won't lay eggs till they are 'weaned' from her care. This time of year she will likely molt before egg laying resumes.
If she went off to the nest to lay an egg, there would be no one to protect the chicks.
They will eat each other's food so you can't feed layer feed. The chick starter won't hurt the hen, especially since she has been fasting for 3 weeks.

Okay good to know are their any rare times when she will start laying agiain though? When I went out to check on her and the chicks she had two more eggs than usual maybe another hen is sneaking in I’ll have to check. I put smiley faces on the other eggs so I’ll find out soon

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've never known a truly broody hen to lay an egg from the time she started incubating till at least 3 weeks after chicks hatch. Usually it is closer to 6-8 weeks after hatch.

 

[rebrascora]

It will be one of the other hens laying eggs in her nest. Being broody takes a lot out of their body condition and it takes several weeks for them to build back up to laying condition again.
It will actually benefit her eating chick crumbs and you could feed them to the whole flock if you are keeping the broody and chicks in the flock. At this time of year when many birds will be moulting, the higher protein in the chick crumbs will probably benefit the whole flock and help them grow new feathers. I would make sure it is unmedicated though.

Alternatively if you want to keep feeding the laying hens layer feed you can get an open bottom cage and chock it up off the ground on bricks and put the chick crumb in there and the chicks can duck underneath to access it, but it is too low for the bigger birds to get to. I put the broody in the cage with the chicks for the first day or two so that the chicks get the hang of finding the food and water and then put the broody out and the chicks just come and go into the cage to feed as necessary. The feeder with the laying pellets is hung too high for the chicks to reach and whilst the broody may feed them a little they will usually get most of their requirements from the crumbles in the cage.

 

[aart]

First of all, you need to separate her and the chicks away from the other chickens.

Not necessary.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Not necessary.

It's best to do, so the chicks don't get picked on by the other chickens. Also, it ensures that the chickens won't eat the chick feed.

 

[sourland]

Not necessary.

Given enough space hens raising chicks in the flock is far easier than later trying to integrate birds into the flock. Utilizing a 'creep' feeder for the chicks keeps the rest of the flock from eating the chick feed.

 

[aart]

It's best to do, so the chicks don't get picked on by the other chickens. Also, it ensures that the chickens won't eat the chick feed.

Mama will protect the chicks.

Given enough space hens raising chicks in the flock is far easier than later trying to integrate birds into the flock. Utilizing a 'creep' feeder for the chicks keeps the rest of the flock from eating the chick feed.

Yes! ....and just feed an 'all flock' type feed....but even then a creep feeder area gives the chicks a 'safe' place to eat and drink.