When will a new mama begin laying eggs again?

[RollinWithTheStones]

Duchess has 18 day old chicks. She's a Dutch Bantam.

 

[sonew123]

Duchess has 18 day old chicks. She's a Dutch Bantam.

Usually in about 3-5 weeks...that will be about the time the chicks are completely independant and momma will begin wandering about again...They still cuddle and sleep together for weeks after that but the egg is a sign shes ready to go about her individual business again

 

[Ridgerunner]

Mine "usually" start to lay a week or so after they wean their chicks. By weaning their chicks I mean they no longer sleep with them at night and the hen's spend their time with the rest of the adults during the day and leave the chicks on their own. Mine usually wean their chicks somewhere between 4 to 9 weeks of age, so there is no hard and fast time.

I had one that started laying 2-1/2 weeks after she hatched her chicks. She did not wean her chicks until they were 3 weeks old. Those chicks did not know what to do when the hen was on the nest laying. They just wandered around on their own until she came off. That's why I said "usually". They don't all always do the same thing.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

When I'm not there I keep them closed in a cage. She is more then happy to get away from them when I do open it. Her first clutch was killed and pushed out of the nesting box by a standard sized hen, which is why I gave her new chicks and put them in a cage.