AN UNLIKELY STORY:

This story began when we adopted a few chicks from a hatchery as day-old's.

One day later, Dusty, one of our hens, went broody. At this time, she had never seen the chicks, and they hadn't even arrived here yet.

going by advice of most other farmers, i let Dusty keep her clutch of eggs and did not introduce the day-olds to Dusty with the warning she may not accept them.

3 weeks later...Only 3 eggs from Dusty's clutch survived. The rest had been broken accidentally by other hens, or eaten by day predators. (our chickens are free-range and coop stays open all day.) Only one of Dusty's eggs hatched. But she did not accept the chick- she didn't know what it was and tried to eat it. Sadly, the chick could not be saved and died shortly after we removed it from Dusty.

Previously, our flock had been tested with older chicks 3 - 6 weeks of age. For the most part, they tolerate them and are not predatory towards them. At most they will assert dominance.

I decided to see what Dusty would do with the chicks i'd adopted from the hatchery, who were now 3 weeks old... Despite most people saying it can't happen...

Dusty defied the odds & adopted the chicks.

The chicks also defied the odds by following her around like a magnet & accepting her as their mother. (normally, chicks this old do not bond as welly if you try to introduce them.)

some say it is impossible - but here is living proof otherwise!!

Dusty has proved the old-time theory of many farmers- every broody is truly and individual case. You never now what to expect!

I would have liked to have gotten footage of Dusty rejecting her own hatchling. However, i was too busy trying to save the little one she rejected to take any videos or pictures. So you're just going to have to trust us.

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