Holy cow, did I just see that ?

[jjdward]

I was just checking on my new babies

The mama was hovering over them and when I put the feed tray back in their cage, I saw something that shocked me.

I saw one of the chicks mount the mama hen. Now these chicks are less than three weeks old!!!

Has anybody ever seen this? I'm CERTAIN that is what the chick was doing. It grabbed her comb, and was flapping his wings and all. What the crap is going on?

 

[SallyF]

Chicks climb all over the mama hen. It's just the way they play. I wouldn't read any more than that into it.

 

[jjdward]

I know they play, and its so darn cute!! But I have never seen one grab a hen's comb and do the whole flapping wings thing.

 

[Camelot Farms]

You need to tag that one somehow and see if it turns out to be a roo...

 

[jjdward]

Dang it!!! I didn't think of that.

 

[toetoe]

I have 12 chicks right now and through out the day the chicks jump up on momma.
Both of my brooder hens have 6 chicks and it happens with both sets all day. I have also seen them jump on mom , grab hold of the back of her neck , flap their wings and ride her as she walks.
This is normal.

I also have had male and female chicks do this in my last brood.