Time to move mama out?

[Denim Deb]

OK, the nuggets are now 6 1/2 weeks old. For the past few days, the mama hen has been wanting to get out of the pen when I opened the gate to feed. I figured she wanted more room and have been planning to start letting them explore more.

Well today, I put some scratch grains down for them like I normally do B4 I left the farm. As I was getting ready to leave the pen, I heard one of the chicks cry out. I looked back and noticed that Mama was not letting the chicks get the grain. Instead, if they got near, she'd peck at them. So, should I open the pen and let her out? Or, should I just start giving them more freedom and leave her in there?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Sounds like she's over the mama thing, lol. She did her job - give her her space!

 

[Denim Deb]

Thanks. That's what I thought, but since she's my first broody, I wasn't quite sure. Figured it was better to be safe than sorry!

 

[baymule]

Animals are ready to leave momma way sooner than we are....... Some animal mommas are ready for the young to leave way sooner than we are.....

 

[Denim Deb]

Well, I let her out this morning-she laid an egg B4 I let her out. But, when I put the chickens away, she wanted back in w/the chicks. But, I think that was only because she was getting picked on by the other hens. When I let her in, all the chicks scattered. I didn't have time to mess w/her, so I've left her in overnight. But tomorrow, she's out for good.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Oh yeah, if she laid an egg, she's finished with the mama chores. My broody has started laying again too and the chicks rarely get close to her anymore. They're all free-ranging now.