Separating hen from chicks

[Papalote Roos]

How will I know when the time is right to separate my hen from her chicks?

 

[teach1rusl]

Why would you separate them?? She'll distance them herself when she's tired of their demands and thinks they're old enough. I've had hens kick them to the curb before 4 weeks, and others who haven't pushed them aside until about 8 weeks. I think MOST hens do so around the 5-6 week mark. They'll just peck at them a bit when the young ones try to get close or up under them...they'll stop finding morsels for them, etc. I've never had a hen abuse/attack her young when she's done with them...so they should not need to be removed, unless you simply have other plans for them...

 

[Papalote Roos]

I was wanting to take her out for the sake of other older Bantams. They're in there now but she pecks them. She is a great momma.

 

[teach1rusl]

Oh...well if the chicks are feathered out, then they're old enough. I'd say in TX it's plenty warm enough for the chicks in the picture to be fine. Also take into account whether others in the flock are okay with them - wouldn't attack them if Mama wasn't around...
What is she? Serama? OEGB? She's a pretty girl.

 

[Papalote Roos]

I'll take her out for a while and watch the politics between young and older Bantams. If she wanders of without returning and all the kiddos are okay I'll make it permanent. If not nature wins