Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[duchess]

Hi there. Just wondering when to switch from chick crumb to growers? I have three 5 week old chicks ( brown hens) in the brooder and another 3 who are nearly 4 weeks who were hatched under a broody hen ( 2 black rock x Orprington and 1 Welsummer x Orprington)

Also what age is it possible to sex them? And when do I return mother hen back to the flock?

When mother hen is removed I will put all the chicks in a run together.

Any advice much appreciated

Thanks

[Purplemaniacs]

My chicks are four weeks so I have not got to the changing their food time yet but I think it is about 6 weeks that you gradually introduce them to growers.

 

I think it is about that time that the mum goes back with the others but mine were hatched in an incubator so I am not sure about that.

 

Chrissie

[surfer_chicken]

Yes mum normally leaves about 6-8 weeks, which is around the time you should switch to growers.

[duchess]

Thankyou both for your replies

[sjp]

you can sometime tell when mom has had enough as her attitude to the chicks changes from been nice and sharing to mean and selfish sometimes overnight this can be anytime from 6-12 weeks my number 1 broody has done this at 6,12 and 8 weeks in that order my other 2 broodies stay with their chicks till 12 weeks which is when they started to lay again so they went back in with the layers