[scabs]

My first little gang of thugs chicks are now just a day short of five weeks old and are coming on a treat; it looks like I have four cocks and a hen (possibly three and two). Mum has done a grand job and is in fine fettle and all seems to be going very nicely.

My question.

I was checking on them all last night and found that Mum had laid her first egg since she first became broody. My books are a little vague after the incubation/new chick phase, but it seems that once she feels that they can look after themselves, she'll go back to laying - does this mean I should get her back into the general population?

My gut feeling is that I should leave her with the chicks until they are on growers pellets and with a few more weeks under their belts.

As ever, this ambitious and enthusiastic novice welcomes your advice. 

Thanks,
Andrew

[Casey76]

She may have other ideas

My broody left her chick and went back to sleep with the other hens once the chick was exactly 6 weeks old.  The chick remains in the broody coop by herself.

The chick was fully integrated with the flock though and everyone has access to the three coops, and they just choose where to sleep themselves.

I think the hen is back in lay, but I can't tell for sure... I have 6 hens and 5 POL pullets and I'm currently getting 6 eggs a day, but I don't know who is laying lol!

[scabs]

Thanks Casey, perhaps I should reintroduce her back to the flock then.