Missing Hen Returns With Chicks
We recently had a hen go missing. We’re not sure exactly when she disappeared, but for a few weeks she hasn’t been returning to the chook run at night, and we weren’t able to find her anywhere around the yard.
I figured maybe a fox, dog, eagle or snake might have gotten her, although there were no signs of a struggle or scattered feathers anywhere. I knew it was possible she might have found a hiding place to sit on some eggs, but I didn’t think it likely.
Turns out I was wrong!
She had four chicks with her. They were tiny, and could only have been a day or so old.
I love the three cute little butts in this picture!
I checked the area near where we found the little family, and found her nesting place right in underneath a huge lemongrass bush. She must have been well-protected from the elements in there (we’ve had both pouring rain and scorching heat over the last three weeks!), and obviously no predators found her.
Hen and brood are adorable! And respect to the rooster: a player till the end.
@Dirt Gently: He was a full-time player – he never knew that his end was coming
.
soooo cute, we always get day old chicks from the hatchery to put under our broody hens as we are not allowed to keep a rooster! The kids love it!
What a lovely story, those chicks look gorgeous, what an unusual combination.
@Belinda: That’s a great idea, too. I’ve supplied a few friends with fertile eggs to put under their broodies, and the kids love the excitement of watching them hatch. Both are good alternatives if you’re not able to keep a rooster.
@Greenfumb: I’m glad the story had a happy ending! Almost all our young chickens now are crossbreeds, so we have a very motley crew.
So exciting all the chicken talk – have started plans for our own chicken coop here and am working on it each weekend. love the little chicks for broody hens idea.
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