jam Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Hey all, I have a broody hen happily sitting on 10 eggs. If all goes well (im doing a lot of forward thinking!) how old can the chicks can be before I separate them from mum and keep them on their own. Do i just leave them be until mum gets fed up and leaves them herself, or do I have to intervene earlier? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stehaggan Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 This is a question I'd like to know. My chicks are 6 weeks old now and in a seperate run with the mother in the bog run so the old girls can see them all. I was going to wait until the chicks are big enough to roam free in the big WIR to put the nun back in. not sure if that's best though, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Mum will tell you when she's had enough. She pecks at the chicks more, might chase them and generally just isn't as caring she initially was. Tiger really loved her latest lot and they were nearing 12 weeks before she decided it was time to leave them Usually by around 8 weeks though normally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 One of mine had enough after four weeks and who can blame her! It's usually the six week mark here though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Is it a case of just removing the broody or does it have to be a gradual affair- I'm worried the little ones will be cold overnight. What a softy! Of course the broody will also have to be accepted back into the flock. love the typo and imagining nuns in the run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
