How long do baby chicks stay under momma at night time? (2024)

I have a broody hen currently laying on 6 eggs. I got them from a friend who has a rooster (I don't have a rooster), so I'm hoping some (if not all) of them are fertilized. Ideally I'd like at least 2 more hens out of this situation, but to be honest, I'm mostly doing this because it's an awesome homeschool experience for my young kiddos to observe.

I'm in the process of figuring out what to do with my coop to accommodate more chickens if I end up with more than two (my coop will comfortably fit 8, I currently have 6). So I'm trying to figure out how long I have if she successfully hatches more than I have room for

How long do baby chicks stay under momma in the coop?

KRack said:

I have a broody hen currently laying on 6 eggs. I got them from a friend who has a rooster (I don't have a rooster), so I'm hoping some (if not all) of them are fertilized. Ideally I'd like at least 2 more hens out of this situation, but to be honest, I'm mostly doing this because it's an awesome homeschool experience for my young kiddos to observe.

I'm in the process of figuring out what to do with my coop to accommodate more chickens if I end up with more than two (my coop will comfortably fit 8, I currently have 6). So I'm trying to figure out how long I have if she successfully hatches more than I have room for

How long do baby chicks stay under momma in the coop?

See Also

Raising Baby Chicks - Beginners Guide for the First 6 WeeksCaring For Baby Chicks: Your Essential Guide

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I really depends on the chicken. Think when they are fullyed featured and ready to be on there own. I think at 8 weeks it will be ok. I hope you can get more clear advice from someone. @PippinTheChicken should be able to help.

How many days along are the eggs? You can candle them to see how many are developing. This can be done by shining a bright flashlight into the egg to dee if you can spot veining, movement, or the chick.

A mother hen will normally mamma her chicks for about 5 weeks. Some mother them for longer or less, just depends.

Chicks can be removed from the broodies after they are dried. They can be brooder indoors like the chicks you would get from a feed store.

janiedoe said:

It depends. It depends on the weather, the hen's preference, and the chicks' preference. I have some hens who "wean" them at 3 weeks, some at 4, and one who babies hers until they’re around 8 weeks. Some will wean them earlier when the weather is warm, and keep them longer when it is cooler.
Also, I'd never suggest going with the minimum space. Extra space = a healthier, happier flock and less stress for you.

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Thank you!! I guess I should aim to have something figured out by 2-3 weeks after they hatch, to be safe.

I've gone back and forth about coop space. They free range all day and only use the coop to sleep and lay eggs. While I would prefer to have something bigger long term so I can have more chickens, I haven't had any issues with 8 of them in the coop we have. There are two roosting bars and 4 nesting boxes.

SilverBirds said:

How many days along are the eggs? You can candle them to see how many are developing. This can be done by shining a bright flashlight into the egg to dee if you can spot veining, movement, or the chick.

A mother hen will normally mamma her chicks for about 5 weeks. Some mother them for longer or less, just depends.

Chicks can be removed from the broodies after they are dried. They can be brooder indoors like the chicks you would get from a feed store.

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Shes only been on them for 2 days now. I put them there 3 days ago but scared her off the nest entirely on the first day. So they went a long time without a hen on them. Like 8 hours, she did sit on them that night and has been on ever since. I was going to try to candle them just because I wasn't sure if any would develop from that first day of being cold?

Thank you for this advice!! Any idea how to get them out from under her to candle them without losing an arm?

KRack said:

Shes only been on them for 2 days now. I put them there 3 days ago but scared her off the nest entirely on the first day. So they went a long time without a hen on them. Like 8 hours, she did sit on them that night and has been on ever since. I was going to try to candle them just because I wasn't sure if any would develop from that first day of being cold?

Thank you for this advice!! Any idea how to get them out from under her to candle them without losing an arm?

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Very thick gloves or do it at night.

KRack said:

Shes only been on them for 2 days now. I put them there 3 days ago but scared her off the nest entirely on the first day. So they went a long time without a hen on them. Like 8 hours, she did sit on them that night and has been on ever since. I was going to try to candle them just because I wasn't sure if any would develop from that first day of being cold?

Thank you for this advice!! Any idea how to get them out from under her to candle them without losing an arm?

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You should be able to see inside the eggs at day 10-14. I'd just reach under her and grab the eggs. Some hens will bite when you mess with them so wear a protective layer on your hands and arms if you have a biter. If you do scare her off, she'll go back to the nest.

SilverBirds said:

How many days along are the eggs? You can candle them to see how many are developing. This can be done by shining a bright flashlight into the egg to dee if you can spot veining, movement, or the chick.

A mother hen will normally mamma her chicks for about 5 weeks. Some mother them for longer or less, just depends.

Chicks can be removed from the broodies after they are dried. They can be brooder indoors like the chicks you would get from a feed store.

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But why would you take them inside? The mother hen will provide heat, integrate them to the flock, and teach them all they need to know about being chickens. Plus, she went to the hard work of hatching them.

KRack said:

Thank you!! I guess I should aim to have something figured out by 2-3 weeks after they hatch, to be safe.

I've gone back and forth about coop space. They free range all day and only use the coop to sleep and lay eggs. While I would prefer to have something bigger long term so I can have more chickens, I haven't had any issues with 8 of them in the coop we have. There are two roosting bars and 4 nesting boxes.

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It's always good to have a large run. I've free ranged at times, control ranged at other times, and sometimes had to keep them in, because of predators. Nowadays, with avian flu gaining headway, I'd say everyone should probably try and build a covered run.
A cheap alternative, depending on your weather is to buy a used dog kennel and convert it to a coop/run combo. It could be done by covering one entire side and two quarter sides with plywood siding, and then adding 1/2" hardware cloth, and a metal roof. You also need to frame in the door, so nothing squeezes in.