When will 'Mum' start laying eggs again?

thebunster · Post by **thebunster** » 27 Jul 2014, 20:30

How long after the hatch will a broody hen go back to laying eggs again?

My Norfolk Grey hen is currently mum to a 6 week old chick - I guess it's too early for her to be going off to lay eggs, as she is still busy looking after her little one, but I was just wondering when she might start laying eggs again.

ulrikeelmleigh · Post by **ulrikeelmleigh** » 30 Jul 2014, 18:03

Depends on all sorts, I think. My broody had her first chicks last year when she herself was barely 6 months old. She started laying when the chicks were about 4 weeks, looked after them for another 3 or 4 days, and then left them. This year she left her new chicks when they were about 6 and a half weeks old and started laying a couple of days after that... I read somewhere, that if a hen has only one chick, she might not abandon it, but carry on looking after it when she's laying again.

TheGreatEgg · Post by **TheGreatEgg** » 31 Jul 2014, 08:06

My silkie raised 8 ducklings and started laying when they were about 8-9 weeks old. She still lives with them, but has stopped looking after them now.

kitla · Post by **kitla** » 31 Jul 2014, 10:11

It does seem to vary doesn't it?! Misspiggy has only just left her chicks at 13 weeks,
and still hasn't started laying again yet. Last year my broody started laying again
when hers were 6 weeks old & she was still with them for another couple of weeks.