Maternal Hen?

[Farmer Brian]

About 8 weeks ago, I picked up 14 assorted chicks a TSC. With so many birds in the brooder and growing fast, I opened it up to the main coop with my 3 Jersey Giant hens and a rooster. They all seem to be getting along just fine. The chicks can go into the brooder when they want, the door is half way open.
One of the JG hens squeezes into the brooder to lay with the chicks instead of sleeping on the roost with her flock. No picking or anything, just likes the company I guess.
Is it normal for an adult bird to adopt a bunch of 8 week old chicks? If she were broody, I'd think she would be in a nesting box, or at least on eggs.

 

[Crazychickengirl2]

I dont know but it probably is, it like how people don't want babies till they work/live with them I guess?

 

[Crazychickengirl2]

Or maybe she just likes them

 

[rosemarythyme]

She sounds like a "nanny hen" and has gotten enough broody hormones to want to mother this group of chicks.

 

[Farmer Brian]

Well, not sure if she was just being a nanny or wasn't feeling well. But, I found her dead under the feeder yesterday morning. She was panting heavily the day before, but it wasn't overly hot and she had access to the water jug just a few feet away.
Down to two layers and the rooster until the poults are old enough. They're almost ten weeks old now. She hadn't laid an egg since she went nannylike anyway. Still getting 8-10 eggs a week with the two other girls.

I brought her into the woods on my property and left her on "Valhalla Stump" where all the past chix go. My offering to the local predators. It must satisfy them, I've never lost a bird yet to predation.