weaning chicks

[cactus-hen]

Wilma's chicks are five weeks old. She has been pecking at some of them for the last few days. It's not always the same chicks. She still calls them to food and sits with them at night. She is very protective of them as a group. She chases away any other hen and even takes on a hawk now and then. Is she trying to wean them?

 

[debilorrah]

I am sure she will boot them out as soon as she is ready too.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

My bantie chicks are approx. 7 wks now & mama treats them like they were born yesterday

I have tried taking them away from her & she just has such a hissy fit! So I am just letting her do her thing with them & sooner or later I think they will do their own thing. I don't rely on her for eggs anyway. :|