when to separate

[knat]

We have had a broody hen who we gave some fertile eggs to. 2 out of the 3 hatched chicks and they are now 3 weeks old. Mum is still quite protective over them - how long before she would be ready to leave them? She is in a small run with them and I think would benefit from being back in the larger run sooner rather than later but obviously I dont want to part them too quick. Also does anyone know who to sex the chicks? Then we can make a decision about keeping them and when to put them in the main run. They did get in there the other day, they had been freeranging and decided to hop through the slats to the main run, to be chased round by the other hens, so hopefully they have learnt their lesson!!!! Thanks

I have 18 chicks in an ark outside - they're 3/4 weeks old and haven't had any heat for about a week and a half (I use an electric hen). So dependent on the weather then your hen/chicks could be parted now, if you were so inclined. She won't like it whenever you part them, IME.

As for sexing - there are loads of different ways to sex - most keepers do it by the difference in comb size, you can do it by vent sexing and feather sexing too. I can always tell my cockerals - even at 2 weeks because they play fight and get on top of the drinker.

Thanks for that. Might look to part next week. How old do they have to be before yu can sex via vent or feather?

Vent sexing is possible from a day old - but you do need to be experienced to do it. Feather sexing is possible but only with certain breeds. You will be able to see the comb from about now - the males will be much more pronounced than the females.