Co-parenting...

Some breeds of chickens have the genes to be broody. They are prone to wanting to hatch eggs. Some breeds are almost completely lacking this urge. I have two kinds of chickens, White Rock's, which are large laying hens. The description I read said were not too broody. I also have Silky's, which are tiny fluffy things and very prone to wanting to hatch chicks. So far I have 4 broody White Rocks. The description lied. This is not good, because broody hens stop laying eggs. Two of my broodies have hatched chicks. One of my Silky's tried to hatch some eggs at the same time one of my White Rocks did, but failed. However, she snapped out of her broody state when the White Rock's chicks hatched. Now, all day, every day, she is out with the mama and her chicks. She scratches in the dirt and calls the babies when she finds something edible. She and the mama White Rock stay side by side all day long.These birds were not raised together, and live in separate coops. But now they have a shared mission. The chicks alternate between the two adult birds, snuggling under them to rest or warm up, running to them when they are called for food.

 The real Mama hen in on the left. The diminutive Silky is to the right. They are both showing the chicks were some delicious goat milk soaked chick food is.

 What is exceptionally cute is that both the real mother hen and the Silky cram into the nest box each evening, and the chicks pile under them to stay warm. There they stay, all the long night, sweetly co-parenting a pile of warm chicks.

These two bird brains have put their differences aside and joined forces to keep the babies safe and help them grow up to be happy, healthy, productive members of the flock. People could learn a lot from animals, I think.