The Poultry Keeper

deanojul67 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 342

Hi just wondering how long do u guys leave the chicks with mom, It isn't a prob as I have room to keep separate as long as needs be .And also how old the chicks are before you put them in with the big un's Shocked

Chicks wings are all feathered up and little tail feathers are popping out now, they sure grow fast Exclamation

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

One day you will turn around and they will be all growed up and you will think....when did that happen? Yes, they grow up too fast. Sad

Mum will keep them with her. Usually when I do a broody, I let her stay in with the regular flock once the chicks are hatched. She will protect them from the others and they will gain their 'status' in the flock without a battle. Mum will decide how long she coddles them. But even a year later, when they get into trouble with a different hen, mum will come running to their defence. Wink

Fangs · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:25 pm Post subject:

I find that my hens will get fed up of the chicks at about 6 weeks old. Some of them chase the chicks off, whilst voers just ignore them.

However this year my blacl hen Du has not abadoned her single jap z pekin pullet chick, bout 15 weeks now, and I haven't the heart to split them. Embarassed

I've put youngsters in with my adult birds at 10 weeks old, and had no problems. Though my flock of birds (ducks, guineas, and chickens) seem to be great when introducing new birds of any age.

Fangs