Broody chick raising chicks?

[Cornishboyraptor]

Well. Around 7 weeks ago I had 1 cream legbar chick hatch so we decided to try to hatch some other chicks and had 7 more hatched. I know people recommend not to put different week chicks together but I did as I thought the CL would be lonely. As people worn, she did peck a few, such as toes and unfortunately one chick had a leg injury and became weak and passed away.

Anyway the CL is 7 weeks old and she sits on some of 4 week old chicks, normally 1 or 2 (more like just let's them under than sitting directly on them) even tho theres a heat mat. I've also seen her feed some of the young chicks like a broody would but with a different chirp. My guess the CL cant chirp like a broody as it still has a chirp of a chick. Is this rare?

I cant stop thinking that when the younger chicks are 6 weeks and introduced to the flock (mainly bantams and 1 rock and the chicks are medium sizes chickens) and the CL would feel the urge to protect the younger one like a mother would?

 

[Cornishboyraptor]

Is no one replying cause of my title lol. I think I would of got a reply by now.

 

[NatJ]

Is no one replying cause of my title lol. I think I would of got a reply by now.

I don't have a problem with the title, but didn't have anything to say other than "hmm, that's interesting!"
I have no idea how rare or common it is, or how it will work out as time goes on.

 

[Cornishboyraptor]

I don't have a problem with the title, but didn't have anything to say other than "hmm, that's interesting!"
I have no idea how rare or common it is, or how it will work out as time goes on.

Yeah. I think people are reading my title and saying, oh hes probably dumb or something like that. If you want I can update you when I do introduce the CL and younger chicks into the flock

 

[NatJ]

If you want I can update you when I do introduce the CL and younger chicks into the flock

Yes, please! I like knowing what happens next

 

[TimberLine Homestead]

That would be awesome

 

[Cornishboyraptor]

@NatJ @TimberLine Homestead I have a update. The fuse broke in the heat mat and the CL chick managed to keep all 6 chicks warm for 2 days as it took a bit to get a new fuse. Here's a photo for a size reference. She also like to teach them how to bath even tho it's an instinct (I think) but the CL didnt start till like a week ago and the younger one are already trying to bathe.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Wow this is interesting! Some chickens definitely have a mothering instinct. My (adult) serama hen acts as though her mate is her baby!

 

[NatJ]

I have a update. The fuse broke in the heat mat and the CL chick managed to keep all 6 chicks warm for 2 days as it took a bit to get a new fuse.

Wow! That turned out well for the chicks, that she had adopted them before it broke!

She also like to teach them how to bath even tho it's an instinct (I think) but the CL didnt start till like a week ago and the younger one are already trying to bathe.

I've seen chicks start trying to dustbathe by the time they are a week or two old, with no-one showing them how, so I think it is an instinct. But it's pretty cute when they're all learning

 

[Cornishboyraptor]

@NatJ @SulkyBantam @TimberLine Homestead so an other update. I moved all the chicks into the greenhouse that's next to the flock and introduced a 5 month old pekin hen and she let the chicks peck at her head but did gently peck back, the CL (named iris) stared at the pekin and the had a stand off (high head staring at each other) and then the pekin pecked iris (just wanted to mention they are pretty much the same size) and iris just stared then walked off to the chicks. I noticed that the younger chicks stayed next to iris and starts to chirp loudly without her, the chicks strayed only like 30cm away while the pekin just roamed the whole area. The pekin is rather friendly, prob because she was getting bullied in the sebright flock.