The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: suziequeue on May 18, 2012, 06:45:38 pm

Title: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: suziequeue on May 18, 2012, 06:45:38 pm

Well - our chicks are growing fast and doing well.


Mummy hen has got into a bit of a habit of jumping out of the pen (her wings aren't clipped). She doesn't seem too fussed about it and only goes back in when we open the door for her  ::) ::)


Do you think she's trying to distance herself from the brood and let them find their own independence??


Should I try putting Mummy hen back in with the others and letting the chicks crack on without her?

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: bigchicken on May 18, 2012, 06:53:05 pm

There comes a time when she will leave them to get on with it and it all depends on what age the chicks are, Roughly somewhere about 8 weeks can vary a fare bit.   If they are old enough all should be fine 

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: in the hills on May 18, 2012, 07:07:21 pm

How old are they, Suziequeue?
 
 I find it also depends on breed as some mature much more quickly than others and different mums also behave very differently to others. My peekin broody soon left her babes (but the cockerels were crowing by about 6 weeks old!) whereas my Friesian girl was still defending her young when they were bigger than her.  ;D

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: suziequeue on May 18, 2012, 07:50:52 pm

They are a month old now. Hatched on 17th/18th April. So - still quite young I guess.

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: chrismahon on May 18, 2012, 07:56:28 pm

We normally separate mum from chicks at 6 weeks Suziequeue. But a natural separation is better as our Loulou used to get very upset for a day when parted from her chicks. Depends on the weather at the moment as it's cold and the chicks need the heat of their mum.

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: manian on May 18, 2012, 08:00:59 pm

we're a bit cruel
take them off mum about a week old as we tend to keep all the chicks together and usually have some in the icubator hatching around the same time
 

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: suziequeue on May 18, 2012, 08:08:42 pm

Oh right. Well that's very reassuring. Thanks.


It's interesting. The chicks have all gone into the coop because it's raining and she's pecking around on her own outside hoovering up the slugs and things.

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: in the hills on May 18, 2012, 08:15:45 pm

I think if it was me, I would at least pop her back in at night for another couple of weeks (unless she strongly objected!). It has been below zero up here recently so a bit chilly for them  on their own, at that age,  I would think.

Title: Re: Do chicks need to be weaned?
Post by: suziequeue on May 18, 2012, 10:13:50 pm

Yes - she's back with them now for the night. :D