Mother's day hen managed to save a struggling chick -- does this happen a lot?
 | Earlier post: I had given Runaround Sue, the momma hen, eight eggs to sit on. She hatched two chicks Saturday, and five on Sunday. As the day ended, there was an eighth egg that had pipped. It had a wide crack in the egg, and the membrane was heaving -- it seemed like that last chick was worn out but trying. At certain points during the day, Sue had been pecking at the crack in the egg to help. It became a wider crack, and the other chicks gathered around and peeped, as well as Sue making encouraging clucks. Being as the odds of a successful hatch continuing into a third day were uncertain, I wasn't sure what would happen overnight. Right after I observed the hatched chicks peeping around the final egg, Sue extended her wing to protect the final egg and the chicks. I know humans aren't supposed to help struggling chicks, but it seemed like Sue and the babies were working hard to open the egg and communicate. Monday morning came, I wasn't sure what to expect, and the chicks were hiding and keeping warm, but there was a cracked egg pushed out of the nest box, a good sign, and no bodies. Tuesday I got a good head count. All eight were hatched! The last chick had been sheltered on Monday and allowed to dry off and gather strength. Photos show the eight chicks and then a better photo, seven in frame, of them looking at Sue. Is this commonplace, for a momma hen to work hard on the final hatchling? [link] [comments] |
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