Escapee Baby Chick Finds A Real Mom

Our little layer chicks are in a portion of the hen house separated from the big girls. They have wooden brooder boxes with heat lamps to keep them warm like a mother hen. We call these “wooden hens.”

The other morning when James came into the hen house, he heard loud cheeping coming from behind a feeder. Investigating the source with his cell phone camera rolling, James shared his discovery.

It’s an amazing scene. You hear the loud cheeping but can’t see what’s making it. The hens are quizzically looking in the direction of this unusual sound; weird hair-do hen stretches her neck to see better, but not get too close; then, out pops a chick from behind the feeder.

James, “What are you doing here? How did you get over here?”

The little guy comes towards him and then takes off in the other direction, cheeping frantically.

When it disappears behind the big red hen, you hold your breath anticipating the worst – nasty pecks from another hen.

But, what a wonderful surprise! The hen tucks the little guy between her legs, protecting it. Then, proceeds to show it how to peck for food. How lovely!