We've moved the chicks into a full sized ark with a small run at the moment to get them used to moving in and out without being bothered by the older birds. They are 9 weeks old now and could survive happily without their foster mums. But until we release them to range they will stay with the chicks. After they have access to range some mums stay with the chicks all the time and some leave straight away and move into another ark.
Having older birds and chicks together can give rise to bullying by the older birds but we have found that the cockerels will step in and stop any hen pecking.
You can see here the adult hen next to the 9 week old chicks. They are developing well and are on course to start laying at around 26 weeks.
You can see here the adult hen next to the 9 week old chicks. They are developing well and are on course to start laying at around 26 weeks.
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