i have been away and got back last night i went and checked my birds this morning and found one of my breeding pairs that had 1 baby still in the box when i left now has 5 new babies! i just was given a heat box and was wondering would i stress the hen out to much if i took the oldest three that have feathers over their head, wings and white fluff over the rest of them out and hand reared them so she can have a break?

What makes you think she needs a break? My hen has just successfully raised 6 babies, unless there is a problem I would leave them there

well she just finished raising 6 chicks 6 weeks ago

Oh dear. I would still tend to leave them with Mum, unless you can see a problem. She deserves a rest doesn't she? Poor thing, I struggle with three!

i am a bit worried as she is looking pretty thin

i know what you mean my 2 kids really keep me on my toes alot as well

I agree with Lin, unless you see that she is really struggling i would leave the chicks with mum. After these babies leave the nest give her a really long break.

I think unless she ignores them or attacks them, I would leave them be. If they are that covered in feathers already the male should start paying more attention to them and start feeding more himself pretty soon. Can you tell any colors on the babies yet? I know what you mean about your hen looking pretty rough, but after a few days or so by herself she will start to look much better.

the last babies 3 were yellow face blues 2 normal blues and a normal grey this time they look like the first 3 are blue spangles and i'mnot sure about the others yet