Hey there! Let me share with you an intriguing and somewhat adventurous tale about my beloved hen who turned me into a Proud Chicken Grandpa. (Yes, you read that right!)
As a longtime poultry farmer, I’ve seen quite a few surprises, but this one caught me off guard. I have this determined hen who was so set on hatching eggs, she just couldn’t let go. No usual strategies could break her fierce intent. So, what do you do when your hen simply won’t back down from her brooding quest? You might find my answer quite amusing: you give her exactly what she wants, or in this case, whom she wants … a chick!
In my farm, we value the well-being of our hens. So, we created a separate, cozy pen for our would-be mama with all her needs catered to, including a comfy nesting area. The next step was to go and buy a week-old chick. With a swift ‘bait and switch’ act, we removed the egg and sneaked in the new arrival next to her.
A crucial point here comes from observing the hen’s response. If the hen freaks out and turns hostile, then I’m sorry to say, it’s a failed mission and you’ll have to resort to other methods, like raising the chick separately. But, you can breathe a sigh of relief when your hen becomes investigative and curious rather than threatened.
In my case, our mama hen, after a bit of cautious pecking, seemed to sense the new life that had been handed to her. The sight was almost magical when she started making this low, grumbling noise, fluffing her feathers, and extending her wings in acceptance. Soon, she began showing what can only be described as proud behavior – protective and caring at the same time.
In a few short weeks, we’ll be reintroducing our brooding mama and her new progeny to the rest of the flock. And as for me, I now wear the badge of ‘Proud Chicken Grandpa’ with grace.
Brooding hens are indeed fascinating creatures – a glimpse into the wonders of natural hatching. As caretakers and enthusiasts, our role is to understand their behaviors, cater to their needs, and follow the best practices to offer the most nurturing environment for them to thrive. Not only does this support sustainable poultry farming, but it also imparts us with an enriching, rewarding experience. After all, there’s nothing like being a Proud Chicken Grandpa!
As they say in the chicken world, ‘Cluck cluck’ or, in our language, ‘Happy Farming!’
- James Nicholas, Proud Chicken Grandpa
