Three Part Question re: First Time Successful Broody Hen

[mrsgibber]

My little banty antwerp hatched out some babies in late April. They are about 9 weeks old now. Here are my questions/concerns:

1) When will she start to lay eggs again?

2) When does she stop mothering these guys? They are as big as her now and still try to squeeze in under her (very cute) and she is still protective of them. They follow her everywhere and she is still foraging food for them (again..very cute).

3) How do I reintroduce her to my flock of four other Standard size hens? They are not being very nice to her...everything she sneaks into the big run they chase her around like crazy. Two of the big girls don't seem bothered by her but the other two are mean! Then if the nice girls see her getting chased they decide to join in...just never instigate.

Thanks!

 

[magentamomma]

i also want answers to the first 2 questions, though my hens reintegrated just fine.

 

[Matt A NC]

Quote:
Your hen will not start laying again till she is about ready to leave the little ones. Depending on how strong her mothering is it can be 6 weeks to 3 months before she wants to give them up. My "Miss Blue" left her Two 9-week-old boys 2 days ago. She is a great mother and knows when to leave them. "Pigie" is still mothering her Six 13-week-olds. She is a long time mother and this is her 5th brood. Most still pile up under her at night. I do believe Pigie should leave them soon. Her comb has gone really red and she is eating more then sharing now. Normally she starts laying about a week before leaving her babies.

Introducing a bantam back into a standard sized flock is going to be very difficult and could be impossible in the end. If they are already relentless towards getting at her I would think about a seperate bantam lot.

Matt

 

[FarmGirl01]

Mine quite mothering the chicks about 6 weeks. She started laying and the chicks just went off by themselves. Your 3rd question will take time. Good luck.

 

[magentamomma]

2 of mine have resumed being broody now that their babies are 8 weeks old. Go figure