Rooster hatched eggs???

[KayMc]

My friend told me that her rooster sat on some eggs, and two hatched, and now he's protecting them and leading them around, showing them how to scratch... She tells me this rooster crows and used to have a group of hens following him around, but when he went broody, the hens went to the other rooster. I asked for a picture, but it's pretty fuzzy and doesn't show the tail feathers. Is this even possible??? I'm thinking, until I can actually get a good picture or see this chicken in person, that it must be a dominant hen that crows?

 

[nuthatched]

Roosters make nests and can take over incubation, most roosters are great dads. Most people don't know this because they don't keep roosters or seperate broody mama's from the flock or labor under the assumption that male animals are always violent.

 

[SueT]

It is possible, I’ve heard of it. It could also be a dominant hen that crows. But, it is also possible that the chicken has transgender aspects.
there was a lot of related discussion in this recent thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-believe-i-have-a-hermaphrodite-chicken.1596059/

 

[HeritageFan]

I’ve had a few friends who have had hens (that lay eggs) and also crow.
....coincidentally all bantam hens, now that I think about it...

I’ve also heard of good “dads”- although it is less often “good dads” than the hens that crow, by far, in my experience.

* not a chicken keeper, personally- so only passing along what I have heard from people I know and that I trust! *

 

[SilverBirds]

My rooster would sit on the eggs when mama was taking a break. When the chicks hatched, he'd help the hen find the babies food, let the snuggle close to his legs, and protect them.

 

[SueT]

This past spring there was a male eagle who was brooding a rock, and they finally brought him an orphan chick…

 

[KayMc]

Amazing! You learn something new everyday! I have roosters, so I know they aren't violent, but I've never had one go broody!

 

[Fluffy_Moth_With_Silkies]

Amazing! You learn something new everyday! I have roosters, so I know they aren't violent, but I've never had one go broody!

Well I hope the chicks grow up well! Your roo sounds really sweet.

 

[picklestheduck]

Animals really are incredible!