4-week old pullet already a 'mother hen'

[YellowRoseFarm]

Hi all!

Just wanted to share an observation of chicken behavior. I'm still new to these chicken shenanigans and it's fascinating to watch them grow into their own individual personalities.

There's a 2-week difference between my 2 sets of chicks. I've had them separated by a poultry fence in the grow-out coop for the last 4 days. Things have been going well and the plan is to fully integrate the littles into the flock this Sunday. Something fun I've observed is that one of the older Welbar pullets is already a sweet 'mother hen' to the little EEs. She spends a lot of her time checking on them, laying next to them through the partition, and even demonstrating how to dust bathe. The other older chicks have acknowledged the EEs but for the most part, aren't interested. Surely, others have seen this sort of behavior.

This is Hazel, one of my 4-week-old Welbars with the new brood - Lucy, Betty Lou, Pearl, and Ruby Sue.

 

[All4Eggz]

Hi all!

Just wanted to share an observation of chicken behavior. I'm still new to these chicken shenanigans and it's fascinating to watch them grow into their own individual personalities.

There's a 2-week difference between my 2 sets of chicks. I've had them separated by a poultry fence in the grow-out coop for the last 4 days. Things have been going well and the plan is to fully integrate the littles into the flock this Sunday. Something fun I've observed is that one of the older Welbar pullets is already a sweet 'mother hen' to the little EEs. She spends a lot of her time checking on them, laying next to them through the partition, and even demonstrating how to dust bathe. The other older chicks have acknowledged the EEs but for the most part, aren't interested. Surely, others have seen this sort of behavior.

This is Hazel, one of my 4-week-old Welbars with the new brood - Lucy, Betty Lou, Pearl, and Ruby Sue.View attachment 3092097

Looks like they will be friends! Adorable!
I personally have never seen this sort of behavior in a 4 week old chick, but maybe it's possible that it is a cockerel trying to appeal to the hens? Just a thought. Where did you get them?

 

[YellowRoseFarm]

Looks like they will be friends! Adorable!
I personally have never seen this sort of behavior in a 4 week old chick, but maybe it's possible that it is a cockerel trying to appeal to the hens? Just a thought. Where did you get them?

That would be really unfortunate since we're not permitted to have roosters per the local ordinance. Got them from TSC. I'd say that there's a possibility they mixed up the breed but only the Blue Plymouth Rocks and Welbars were in the tub. They were between shipments and there was no confusion with other chicks. All that to say that I thought Welbars were autosexing and she (he?) was labeled as a pullet.

 

[All4Eggz]

That would be really unfortunate since we're not permitted to have roosters per the local ordinance. Got them from TSC. I'd say that there's a possibility they mixed up the breed but only the Blue Plymouth Rocks and Welbars were in the tub. They were between shipments and there was no confusion with other chicks. All that to say that I thought Welbars were autosexing and she (he?) was labeled as a pullet.

You are correct, they are autosexable. I didn't know it was a Welbar. Couldn't see very well in the photo.
It would honestly be hilarious if the hatchery messed up sexing an autosexable breed. LOL. I wouldn't doubt it if someone told me it happened though..

If they were labeled as pullets there is a high chance that they are all pullets. Sometimes I get a cockerel or two when I purchase a large number of all pullets. TSC promises at least 85% - 90% accurate sexing so you should be all good .