Mama doesn’t wanna Mama anymore?

[jBabychickn]

Hello experienced keepers —

This is my first time using broodies to raise chicks. I had two broods.
My first mama’s chicks are almost 2mos old, so they don’t really need her anymore, but if they do she lets them do whatever with no problem, but my Easter Egger mom who has younger chicks(4wks), she’s all the sudden pecking at them, chasing them off, or away from where she’s eating, etc…

Is she just done being a “Mom”?
What should I do?
It’s so stressful to watch!

I didn’t experience this with my other broody mama, like I said, she still kinda mothers them, even tho they don’t need her very often. (They’re around 8-9weeks old)

Thanks!!!!

 

[sourland]

The second hen is weaning her chicks early - it happens generally with hens that return to laying quicker.

 

[fluffycrow]

It's at the age where some moms will start weaning their chicks

 

[Yardmom]

It might seem early to us since so many keep chicks on heat for 6 weeks or even more, but some mother hens do ween chicks by 4 weeks. Not unusual at all.

 

[Sussex19]

Its normal, one of mine weans them around 3 weeks.
It is tough to watch, but I have never had a chick come to harm from it

 

[jBabychickn]

The second hen is weaning her chicks early - it happens generally with hens that return to laying quicker.

Thanks; she has started to lay again last week

 

[jBabychickn]

Its normal, one of mine weans them around 3 weeks.
It is tough to watch, but I have never had a chick come to harm from it

Thanks so much! This makes me feel better; I’ve been worried as they seem to “cheep” so loudly, but I’ve noticed at real close inspection that I don’t think Mom is really pecking on them that much, is sounds like they are squealing more over the action of it rather than from real pain…
Thanks again for your reply