When will broody hen wean chicks?

[Gemleaf]

This is my broody hen Butterscotch. As you can see her seven, four week old babies no longer fit underneath her. When will she kick them off the nest? Not sure if I should move her back to the big coop with the other hens or not. She and the babies have been in a separate hutch since she started sitting on her nest. What do y'all recommend? This is my first experience with a broody, so I don't know what to expect.

 

[trailrider330]

My broodies are generally done hanging out with their chicks once the chicks reach about the 6 week mark.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Depends on the hen...most leave them at around 6 weeks. Some leave them at five, some at 10. I've had a couple hens that hatched an only chick and when he was 6 or 7 months old he would still hang out with them. They had gone back to laying eggs and even gone broody again but they never really kicked him out. I think four weeks is a little too young for the chicks to be separated, but they look like they are feathered pretty good and there are seven so they would probably be fine.

However, I would not separate her from the chicks until she starts pecking on them. Just waiting for her to be ready to leave them is the best way to go. You might want to expand the nest box a little though.