Weaning chicks from hen ay 6 weeks?

[fly12]

Our Cochin hen, I noticed is in the process of weaning her chicks as she sleeps up on the roost and wanders away from them. I was thinking about weaning them now as if she wanders away too far, they could get killed by crows.

 

[Judy]

If she's sleeping on the roost and not with them, she's through with them -- particularly if she's started laying again. They have usually quit mothering around 4-6 weeks for me.

 

[centrarchid]

Weaning likely complete and was likely so even before separation at roost. In my setting with hen raised chicks, as juveniles they usually start to associate with father. Not all roosters of all breeds protective but those that are can make quite a difference with respect to avain predators.

 

[fly12]

Just separated them about an hour ago. She doesnt seem too stresseed. Shes not laying though.