[janeheritage]

My broody Ethel's chicks are 5 weeks old now and I imagine she will lose interest in them before long.

I have noticed that in the last few days she is very ostentatiously squatting whenever I come anywhere near her. Does this mean that she is getting back into the hen swing of things and might start laying again soon? Any ideas, anyone?

[Vember]

Sounds to me like she'll be back laying again in no time

Has she had a mini moult? My Sussex do after bringing up little 'uns then lay after that

Sarah

[Foxy]

sounds about right, it varies with the broody, some start laying 5/6 weeks and some take a bit longer. You might find also this time of year, that a broody may go staight into moult depending on her age, then no eggies for a few months...

[Foxy]

snap Vember !!

[Vember]

 

[janeheritage]

She's not obviously moulting but she's still looking after the chicks, though she doesn't seem to care much any more if they wander away.

Daft question perhaps, but what does a mini moult look like???

[janeheritage]

  I just went to clean out the broody coop and found an Ethel egg therein!

Bless her, she has only been off lay just under 8 weeks.

It was also her biggest egg to date.

Star chook 

[Vember]

Ahh that's great, mine just seem to moult a few neck feathers and tail after brooding then they get rid of the flights later in the year 

Wouldn't be Bonkers if it happened any other way I don't suppose

Sarah

[Foxy]

Fish (bantam broody) still has her chicks, three weeks old (i think...) and I noticed that her moult is starting already. A few of my breeding hens have started moulting too.