Rooster lonely or cold? not sure

[Rach4]

I have just come back from locking up our babies for the night. I did the usual head count checked waters and anything that may look abnormal I may need to attend to. As i was exiting the run I realized (run is built onto the coop) That Bubba (rooster) is not "roosting" so to speak on the perch... he is nesting with Dookie and her 4 chicks. he doesn't seem to be trying to do anything, not trying to (from observations) jumping on top of the hen or chicks or trying to peck them, just nesting, is this normal?

 

[centrarchid]

Show a picture. He may have gone broody. I have seen it many times when only one or two hens in flock and hen with chicks. In my setting it is an extension of process where rooster continues parental investment after hen weans chicks. Typical flocks do not support such behavior because sex ratio skewed so much towards hens.


See link below.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882368/what-to-look-for-in-a-broody-rooster


I can increase odds a given rooster goes broody based on how flock is managed. The broody behavior I suspect increases survival of chicks, especially when threats from hawks is high.

 

[Rach4]

Ahh sorry don't have a photo. We do have a lot of eagles around here, so that does make sense. In my eyes he is a very good dad, always watching over them. He isn't aggressive towards myself, partner, chicks, hen or foster children we have come and go, so I was hoping it was a "loving" side to him, (correct me if i am wrong).
Oh and yes we only have the one rooster and hen, it's our first hatch of four with a broody hen. Thanks heaps for feedback