When will Mama stop being Mama?

[wbruder17]

My silkie has been raising 2 EE chicks, one that she hatched. They are a little over 2 weeks old. I've taken most of their heat away to focus on my smaller chicks and Mama takes good care of the older ones, keeping them warm etc,

I am wondering, short of the chicks having enough feathers to go outside, will Mama get tired of them before they are ready or do I introduce them back into the flock all at the same time?

I have several containment units of different sizes, so upgrading their enclosure in the basement wouldn't be a problem.

 

[donrae]

I'd send them back into the flock while momma still looks out for them. She'll protect them and tell the other birds to stay away from them, until they're about six weeks old. Then she'll lose interest and probably start laying again. Or since she's a silkie, maybe she'll skip the laying and go straight to being broody again lol

 

[ChooksChick]

Mamas can raise babies even in the dead of winter. The babies leave her warmth until they are uncomfortable and then they get back under. It's her instinct to hit the deck and warm them as soon as they return.

My mamas have always been very good at managing their chicks against the rest of the flock, but a Silkie may be less capable, as they are so gentle. You'll have to evaluate that aspect of it.

My broodies almost always stop managing their chicks as much around 8 weeks, when they begin to roost with them. They encourage independence and then at 10 weeks, they demand it, rejecting the kids and forcing them to sleep alongside, not under a wing, etc. You'll see that the chicks are well-feathered and ready to be independent by this time.

 

[TLeo13]

how did you gether to hatch em? all my hens are broody but they get bored after about three days and leave me with the eggs.