Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: ness on June 22, 2008, 20:28

Title: How old do chicks have to be to leave mum for good?
Post by: ness on June 22, 2008, 20:28

Hi
I have raised a couple of chicks but never intended keeping them.  They are 5 weeks old now.  What age can I give them to new homes?  I want them to go as soon as poss as I'm missing the eggs, and don't want to get too attached to them.
Thanks
Ness
Ps anyone interested in a black rock girl and a vorwerk boy!?

Title: How old do chicks have to be to leave mum for good?
Post by: babe on June 22, 2008, 20:35

8 months is the norm  :wink:

Title: How old do chicks have to be to leave mum for good?
Post by: pushrod on June 22, 2008, 22:28

any age, but if they are very young they might need some heat . Interestingly my orpington has started laying again and she is still with her 5/6 week old chicks.

Title: How old do chicks have to be to leave mum for good?
Post by: kimT on June 22, 2008, 22:38

They can go now as long as they are together so they can keep warm but if you are being separated then you will have to hang onto them a while longer.

Title: How old do chicks have to be to leave mum for good?
Post by: Bodger on June 23, 2008, 06:44

Quote from: "babe"

8 months is the norm  :wink:

Oh no its not babe :oops: An eight month old hen is half way through its first laying season by eight months. many broodys are glad to see the back of their chicks by eight weeks.
The chicks need to be fully feathered and the weather reasonable by the time they come away from their mum.

Title: How old do chicks have to be to leave mum for good?
Post by: ck2day on June 23, 2008, 08:13

My hen abandoned her chicks at 4 weeks and they seem to be thriving. Not advisable though, always thought at least 6 weeks was the norm for the hen to leave them

Title: How old do chicks have to be to leave mum for good?
Post by: ness on June 23, 2008, 12:09

Thanks folks, I thought it was about 8 weeks - didn't want them to go to early.
Funny you should say 8 months babe, that was how long before my Motherhen decided she'd had enough of her "chicks".  Then boy did she turn on them!  :roll:  :?   I can kind of see her point though.
Thanks again
Ness x