Kidnapping

[kevinnini]

Two of my 5 hens went broody this spring; an older Copper Maran and a yearling Wyandotte. The Wyandotte hatched out 3 but only one lived. The BCM didn't hatch any (my roo is a cripple and not too virile I suspect) so I cleaned out her nest last week. Out in the run I noticed that the BCM would chase the Wyandotte mother around a bit but I chalked it up to a pecking order thing.

Well last night I went into the coop and found the BCM on a new floor nest with the 6 week chick peeking out from underneath her! The Wyandotte was up on the roost with the others.....Looks like kidnapping to me. I guess that BCM really wanted her own chick!

What do you think?

 

[aart]

Haha!
Could be the Wyandotte was done brooding them(6 weeks is average to long for 'weaning') and ready to go back to the flock.........so the BCM took over.
It takes village.

Will be interesting to see how long the BCM mothers the chick..at least it will keep her from going broody again.