What is the best amount of time to rest a hen after raising a clutch before returning her to the avairy?

 

I have a hen that I've had in a cage after her babies fledged and I removed them a couple of weeks ago to rest the hen and she seems to be going stir crazy in the cage, biting at all the corners.

My understanding is that 'resting' means to be away from breeding, rather than physical rest. I normally rest my hens after 2 rounds for 3 months and they rest in the main aviary (with no nest boxes) .

 

I'd say your hen is ready to join the others

Edited June 4, 200817 yr by **Liv**

I'd put her back in the avairy. If she's going crazy, she's tecnically not 'resting' anyway, and would probably be better of with her friends.

Resting a hen after the breeding cabinet, does mean time alone before going back into the aviary. If they are put straight from breeder cage into the aviary, often they can get very sick. How long you hold them back before releasing depends on each bird. The idea being to get her some body condition back as she has given up much of her food to babies, so when she is of good bodyweight, glossy feathers and looking bright and alert then she can go back. Time in a cage alone is the opportuntiy you have to build her up again and make her able to handle aviary stresses again. Good food, some supplements etc. Some birds are fine with a week, some need three.

Edited June 4, 200817 yr by KAZ