Chicks Mothering?

[OneLuckeyWife]

I hatched 2 chicks. My duck hatched a chick and I had it in the ones I hatched. They are about 3 weeks apart in age.

I was sure the older ones would attack the little one, Peppercorn, so I had her in a box in the brooder. Well it jumped out and the for sure pullet, Her, began to mother Peppercorn. Her will sit on Peppercorn and Peppercorn will run under Her to sleep and hide. Really sweet!

Well the other older chick, Him, has now decided that he is going to be the mom. I was sure Him was a cockerel until I saw Him trying to sit on Peppercorn and be like the mama.

Do chicks normally mother younger chicks? Is there a way to keep Him and Her from fighting over who gets to mother Peppercorn?

Peppercorn has chosen Her as the mama but poor Him doesn’t seem to understand that.

 

[Silkie2]

They are both trying to get warmth from each other. they'll huddle together to share body warmth and in most cases one will go under the other chick attempting to get as much body warmth as possible

 

[OneLuckeyWife]

They are both trying to get warmth from each other. they'll huddle together to share body warmth and in most cases one will go under the other chick attempting to get as much body warmth as possible

Sometimes Peppercorn is sleeping nicely by herself and then Her will come and sit on her. It’s so sweet.

But lately Him and Her have been pecking each other to decide who gets to sit on Peppercorn.


ETA: none of my hens are broody so I’m new to this behavior. My previous chicks never did this.

 

[Silkie2]

Sometimes Peppercorn is sleeping nicely by herself and then Her will come and sit on her. It’s so sweet.

But lately Him and Her have been pecking each other to decide who gets to sit on Peppercorn.


ETA: none of my hens are broody so I’m new to this behavior. My previous chicks never did this.

they would get there warmth from the momma hen how old are they and where are they being kept?

 

[OneLuckeyWife]

they would get there warmth from the momma hen how old are they and where are they being kept?

Him and Her are about 4 weeks and Peppercorn is about 1 week. There are in a brooder in the house.

 

[Silkie2]

Him and Her are about 4 weeks and Peppercorn is about 1 week. There are in a brooder in the house.

yeah i would guess they are just trying to get body warmth from each other

 

[OneLuckeyWife]

yeah i would guess they are just trying to get body warmth from each other

It’s very sweet to watch. They never did this when it just them two. The addition of Peppercorn started it.