Rooster brooding eggs??

[bpmcwill]

At the farm I volunteer at once a week

Last week a hen was sitting on a nest with 'her' rooster standing guard. Yesterday the nest had been disturbed, several broken eggs, intact eggs scattered. One on the eggs was on the concrete apron by the water trough. The rooster came over and sat on it And the hen gathered some of the scattered eggs and sat a few mins. They moved away when I went to fill the tub. I did move the scattered eggs back to the nest, but didn't notice if the hen when back. I don't know if the eggs are viable, but this hen is an experienced brooder.

 

[silkiechick101]

IT is not unheard of for a rooster to help out a hen with brooding. It is most common in more timid, smaller breeds such as silkies.

 

[bpmcwill]

Cool. What I know about chickens came from observing these free range barnyard chickens. Most of the time the hens has the nest hidden and we find her with peeps. I have seen a rooster guarding the chicks after they have been 'weaned'.