Minnie&Moose Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Magda's chicks are coming up for 11 weeks and she's not showing any signs of wanting to leave them. She's still feeding them titbits and defending them against all and sundry. Magda sees her flock every day (the garden is divided into 2 at the moment so both groups get to free range), and often goes up to the netting and 'chats' with Mavis the top hen, but gets bolshy if Mavis gets too close to any of the giant chicks I'm happy for Magda to stay with the youngsters as long as she wants but should I be trying to get her chicks used to being without her, given 2 of them will be off to their new home in a few weeks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 We normally separate ours at 6 weeks M&M. Usually the hen is losing interest in them by then anyway. The two chicks leaving are in for a shock and need to be prepared for it. I suggest returning Magda to the main flock immediately so the chicks learn to fend properly for themselves. What feed is Magda eating now? I presume rearer/grower pellets. Has she started laying again yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Hi Beantree, thanks for your advice. Yes, Magda's eating growers at the moment, though I've started giving her a handful of layers each evening away from the chicks. She's not showing any signs of laying - still got a pale, comb and no crouching (when in lay she crouches for anyone and anything, including our tiny female cat!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Dolly started laying then a week later wanted to come out after a day of being a bit pecky at the chicks. She never went back. They called her all evening but had stopped next morning and showed no interest at all that afternoon when she was bumbling about on titbit search. They were 6 weeks. Persil just upped and left when they were 11 weeks. Thora Bird's babies I kept and they all moved back into the bantie kingdom. Evil Edna's boy trailed about behind her till I sold him about 15 weeks she had no interest in him at all by then but tolerated him. She'll let you know when she's had enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 2 of Magda's chicks set off for their new home today! I'm quite sad to see them go . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I know my trouble is I never want to part with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
