Under Her Wing

[Daisy June]

I saw the most interesting behavior thus far from my chickens yesterday! One of the older hens sat in a nesting box along side a young hen. The older one had her wing over the young one until the young hen layed her very first egg. Afterward, the older hen walked out and left the young one alone with her beautiful, richly colored, adorable egg. I have tried to find research on this behavior but could not find anything. Has anybody heard of such a thing, or was it a fluke?

 

[sourland]

I think it was a fluke.

 

[ChicNmom]

I've never seen it with a new girl hatching.

But I had a bonded pair of Faverolles. One was a little special and I don't think she could see well. The other would often put a wing over her on the roost pole.

Then I had an Orpington and Bielvelder that were best friends. The Orp was attacked by a hawk. I got right out so just some scratches and feather loss but she was very shaken up. That night on the roost her bestie had a wing over her and had her neck over Blondies neck.
She did the wing hug for a few nights.

I just think some of them are smarter than we give them credit for.

 

[Daisy June]

They definitely have their ways of telling us they know things