The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Slimjim on May 21, 2014, 07:21:17 am

Title: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: Slimjim on May 21, 2014, 07:21:17 am
I have a hen that's just hatched 4 chicks in a small broody pen. It's so long ago since I put a broody on some eggs I've forgotten how long you leave them together. I leave incy hatches under heat for two weeks, so I assume that woulsd be the minimum time, but longer if poss. They will have outgrown the pen by then anyway. Thanks for your advice.
Title: Re: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: shygirl on May 21, 2014, 07:48:45 am
why do they need to separated? do you have a fox proof run for her to rear them herself?
Title: Re: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: chrismahon on May 21, 2014, 07:58:16 am
We leave ours with mum for 6 weeks.
Title: Re: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: sabrina on May 21, 2014, 08:02:52 am
By around 6wks the hen will go back and join her friends. I have always just left it to nature.
Title: Re: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: in the hills on May 21, 2014, 11:07:47 am
Same as Sabrina.

Some of our pekin mums think that job is over by 4 weeks but one Friesian hen had 'chicks' under her wing when they were bigger than her.  ;D

Mum will know when the time has come. Mums are always right.  ;) ;D
Title: Re: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: Steph Hen on May 21, 2014, 02:55:58 pm
I also just leave them to decide how long to stay. Last lot were about five weeks old when mum decided they were ready.
Title: Re: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: Marches Farmer on May 21, 2014, 04:19:08 pm
I wait until Mum pecks at the chicks or starts laying again.
Title: Re: How long to leave chicks with their mum?
Post by: Slimjim on May 21, 2014, 10:39:24 pm
Thanks for those replies. You all seem to agree that mum decides and thats usually about 5-6 weeks.