Motherly traits

[BrianT]

I picked up a 3-4 month old black cochin and a couple of 3 week old barred rocks yesterday. Today I completed a small tractor and placed them in it. I just went out to check and see how everybody was getting along. It appears that the black cochin is mothering them. They stand underneath her when she is standing and lay under her wings while napping. So glad they seem to like each other.

 

[Tiramisu]

Cute!

 

[gryeyes]

I have four different groups of chickens of different ages: Bigs, Middles, Littles, and Youngsters. My Littles are 12 weeks old and just happen to be bantam breeds, one of which is a black Cochin. The other 3 are cockerels - *sigh* - and all 3 tuck up under Lola every night, even though they're all the same age. The Buff Brahma is taller than Lola, so it's hysterical to see. The 2 Silver Sebrights insist on having their proxy mother in sight all the time.

 

[BrianT]

Updated, about an hour ago the little ones were trying to jump on her back and hitch rides.

 

[theoldchick]

Awesome! I once had a Japanese Silkie hen who was super motherly. She took on any thing I put under her. She was a Treasure for sure.

 

[TheRanch]

Brian,

One thing I noticed about the cochins - if there are missing chicks - check the cochins - I had a few babies games (free ranging with mom) and I looked everywhere for them - They were not with mom hmmm.......

I looked in the pen with the big cochin roo - I noticed his cushion moving - I walked over there - he had babies in his cushion, babies in his tail feathers, one under his wing and 2 between his legs lol!!! He was being a jungle gym for them!!!!

I have noticed this behavior in more than one of the roos too!!! Cochins are JUST THE BOMB!!! I'm glad your new girl is working out and hope your kids love her as much as the barred rocks do!! lol!!

Just as a side note - isn't that girl a mottled not a black? I am pretty sure it has white in it's feathers already doesn't it??? Kinda important since the LF mottled are kinda rare!! Just FYI!!

Jacki