duchess Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Yes mum normally leaves about 6-8 weeks, which is around the time you should switch to growers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duchess Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Thankyou both for your replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
