When chicks outgrow their momma...

[AZ_HenHouse]

So nine weeks ago my bantam cochin hatched out 6 eggs that I gave her when she went broody and wouldn't quit. It was our first attempt at such an endeavor so we gave her the only fertile eggs we found at the time which happened to be 5 BR and 1 RIR. Important to note...they were not bantam chicken eggs

Also important to note I did not really put much thought into what I was doing--just wanted to make chicken happy

Picture above is them about a week after hatch.




This is what happens when they are nine weeks old

very funny to see momma still in control even though they are all bigger than she is. She had to enlist thae aid of her hatchmate (also a bantam) when they got to big for her to keep under her wings. Both of them have done a great job.

 

[hollyk]

That is great!!!!

Love it, We had a duck that raised geese once. They looked about the same as your chickens. Farm animals are fun, who needs a reality show.

 

[bloom chicks]

What an awesome story! Thank you for sharing!

 

[CSisley]

Oh too cute!!

 

[coonhoundmama87]

I have a few bantams the run in the free range flock. They will hatch any eggs they can! I love when they get bigger than the momma, too cute! Mine also had to enlist the help of a fellow hen to keep them warm on the roost at night