The chicks are slowly getting weened. Mom is going off with the other chickens, ducks, and goose at the pond during the day, leaving the chicks at home to fend for themselves. When everyone is together again in the late afternoon/early evening, she still watches out for them by nipping the bigger birds that get too close, but she's no longer saving food or actively hovering over them.
Indeed, on Tuesday she became testy and nipped many of the chicks who tried to snuggle up to her at night. Currently, she only allows 4 or 5 lucky chicks snuggle time throughout the night (remember less than 5 weeks ago, when 20-30 chicks fit?), and certainly her patience for being stepped upon is approaching zero.
The ducks are now comfortable with the chicks, which is easy to see because they no longer stare wildly at the wee birds, nor do they run away when a chick approaches. Another clue is the newly laid duck and chicken eggs sitting in the chick space.
