Tragedy for the Broody Hen - but a happy ending (Funny update added!)

[MydearWatson]

What a great ending and the pics are just so sweet! Mama definitely looks very proud of her babies! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[KYChixMama]

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I've suspected a few Porcelain d'Uccles from the first - good to know I may have been right! They're FAST little buggers too!!

Oh - and she has turned out to be an awesome mama. Very devoted and protective - hasn't lost one baby. She never minds me or one of our barn kitties, Bob. Bob liked to sleep cuddled up against her broody coop when they were in it - kind of funny. He still hangs out near her and the babies in the barnyard. However she tolerates no one else - she will happily beat the crap out of anyone if she feels threatened in the slightest. Horses included.

Hilarious watching a huge quarter horse run from a tiny Silkie hen.

And I'll admit I really like how I don't have to monitor her babies as closely as I do the brooder-raised chicks. Kind of nice....

 

[KYChixMama]

I spoke too soon. Went to lock everyone up in the coop tonight, and one of her babies (suspected Porcelain d'Uccle) was dead in the barn. Not sure what got it, only the neck was damaged.

 

[andrew6d9]

interesting story

 

[Ogress]

Quote:
So sad.

I hope you find out what hapened.

 

[KYChixMama]

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I suspect a rat in the barn - I noticed signs of a tunnel under one of the outer stalls into the main area yesterday. Bob showed me where she was - he kept meowing at me and running to that corner of the barn. Only the second time I've heard him meow since we got him 6 mos ago. You'd think he was their daddy - they even climb on him and sit on his back. He was pretty frantic.

 

[KYChixMama]

"Mama's" baby Mille Fleurs left for their new home two days ago, leaving her back in the singles game. She made it clear to me that she was NOT happy about it. They're nearly 8 weeks old and she was still mothering them just as much as when they were a week old.

I brought home 4 polish pullets and 3 silkie pullets yesterday, and Mama insisted on entering the cage with them. I let her in, and low and behold, she has decided they are her new responsibility! They are at roughly 5-6 weeks old, don't need a mama, but took right up with her too! I checked on them again last night, and she had all of them tucked under her wing, clucking happily. The polish are as tall as she is!

Anyone ever have a broody hen that simply didn't give up being the "mama"?.

 

[stcroixusvi]

As an adoptive mom, I can relate.