When to separate momma from chicks

If mama is trying to distance herself from them, then I'd say it's time and they will be fine.

 

The chicks should be fine, but just watch the reception mama gets when you put her back in with her old crowd. I recently "weaned" a batch of chicks and when I put mama back in her usual pen, one of the other hens tried to kill her, then the others joined in and almost finished the job. I put her in her old coop at night thinking that they would all wake up in the morning and everything would be normal. Obviously this didn't work out so well. Also, this hen and chicks had been in an adjoining pen with wire between them and the hen's old flock, so they weren't exactly separated. . . I've never heard of anyone else having this problem, so hopefully it's just an isolated incident, but you might check on her frequently at first just to be sure.

 

Quote:I think it depends on the hen being re-introduced. I've have three hens like this. Two were docile hens and couldn't care less about what happened to the chicks, and was relaxed being reintroduced. However the the third hen would puff up and defend her chick, not letting anyone or thing get near it. So as she threatened the pecking order by challenging the others, and she was put into her place.

I let them out to mingle for an hour each eveing before bed time, and stand between then each night for a week, slowly letting them get closer. I let one through to scratch with the mum and chicks to watch thier reactions.

My chicks are a week old this week and last night they had thier first "outing" and the others just ignored them.

 

I usually let my hens do most of the weaning. If I try to wean before the hen thinks its time, she usually freaks out. Of course, your hen is ovbiously trying to wean them herself, so I would say yes, it is time.
I usually use my broody pen to do the job; by placing the chicks inside it and letting the mom outside, she can leave without the chicks following her. I used to let the hens wean the babies completely, but usually they stick to mom even after they are fully feathered out. I take the babies inside or away from the coop for a good three weeks before putting the chicks back in the coop. By then they realize that letting mom have her space isn't that bad!

 

A chicken tractor works well for me. I put momma and babies in the tractor inside the run, so everyone can see each other but not get to each other. Momma will start pacing, etc when she's ready to come out of the tractor. I've seen it two ways- Momma says, "SEE YA!" and takes off, never to return to the babies, or she will do her own thing but check back with the babies. When momma starts following everyone into the coop instead of waiting by the tractor door, I know it's time!
This way seems to make the transition back into the flock a lot easier for everyone. Of course the babies are never ready for momma to leave, but that's the way it goes.

Edited to add:
Here is Tina with her feathered out babies. They were out with the group free ranging (with my supervision) and it went well, I think because Tina is the #1 hen.