[Slimjim]

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.

[shygirl]

why do they need to separated? do you have a fox proof run for her to rear them herself?

[chrismahon]

We leave ours with mum for 6 weeks.

[sabrina]

By around 6wks the hen will go back and join her friends. I have always just left it to nature.

[in the hills]

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. 

Mum will know when the time has come. Mums are always right. 

[Steph Hen]

I also just leave them to decide how long to stay. Last lot were about five weeks old when mum decided they were ready.

[Marches Farmer]

I wait until Mum pecks at the chicks or starts laying again.

[Slimjim]

Thanks for those replies. You all seem to agree that mum decides and thats usually about 5-6 weeks.