I have a hen, around 12 months old, with a 3.5 month old chick and 4 three week old chicks. The baby chicks think they have two mothers!
It's terribly sweet, at night the older chick sleeps next to Mama and I often see 2 little heads popping up out of her feathers and 2 little heads popping up out of Mama's feathers when I do my sunset rounds.
During the broody and hatch phase I made sure food and water was near the Mama for the older chick to reach.
I've had other hens that do not wean their chicks but start laying. It's hilarious watching the chicks sitting with Mama while she tries to lay an egg... I almost hear the chicks sighing and wishing she'd hurry up so they go can back out and play.
It's terribly sweet, at night the older chick sleeps next to Mama and I often see 2 little heads popping up out of her feathers and 2 little heads popping up out of Mama's feathers when I do my sunset rounds.
During the broody and hatch phase I made sure food and water was near the Mama for the older chick to reach.
I've had other hens that do not wean their chicks but start laying. It's hilarious watching the chicks sitting with Mama while she tries to lay an egg... I almost hear the chicks sighing and wishing she'd hurry up so they go can back out and play.
