4 month cockerel started crowing, his mom still takes care of him

[orelsi]

Mother hen is still taking care of her chicks, now juveniles, clucking, guarding then, staying with then all the time after 4 months. Entering month five today. The cockerel started crowing a couple days ago and yet he still follows her around and she clucks to him, finding him food, etc. the normal mother hen - chicks behaviour. It's the funniest thing I've seen. Never happened to me before. Has anyone else had this experience?

Pic is him.

 

[DobieLover]

the normal mother hen - chicks behaviour.

Normal juvenile behavior to stay with a protector.
The broody hen behavior at this stage is abnormal.

I had a hen that was tolerant of her youngsters but would drive them away on the roost. Obviously, not in the nest box...

 

[Debbie292d]

I have two black silkie hens that are mother and daughter and are still inseparable after around 4 years. Even when the mom weaned her other chicks and pecked them away, this one got to sit in the nest with her whilst she was broody again.

I have no idea she allowed that one and not the others.

 

[orelsi]

I have two black silkie hens that are mother and daughter and are still inseparable after around 4 years. Even when the mom weaned her other chicks and pecked them away, this one got to sit in the nest with her whilst she was broody again.

Interesting. Mine hasn't started laying again. She acts as if the cockerel and pulllets are newly hatched chicks.

 

[orelsi]

Update: it's 5 full months now, starting month 6. She's still clucking, giving them food and taking care of them.

 

[Ecarroll]

Update: it's 5 full months now, starting month 6. She's still clucking, giving them food and taking care of them.

That’s funny, I’ve never had a broody raise chicks, but have heard lots of stories and seen others do it. She will probably wean them eventually, probably as the pullets start to lay. Beautiful boy you have there by the way!

 

[FrostRanger]

Cockerel is normal, the mom taking care of them that long is odd, but I'd 100% let her brood again, she's clearly a fantastic mother

 

[arianna7]

Normal juvenile behavior to stay with a protector.
The broody hen behavior at this stage is abnormal.

I had a hen that was tolerant of her youngsters but would drive them away on the roost. Obviously, not in the nest box...
View attachment 3979414

sorry but the chook in the back

 

[arianna7]

sorry but the chook in the back

he's obviously never seen a camera

 

[orelsi]

I'd 100% let her brood again, she's clearly a fantastic mother

Absolutely. She was super protective and caring. She chased away a hawk and a stray cat when they were a month old. Made sure they took dust baths regularly and monitored if they did it right, etc.

...if she keeps this up for another 5 months it will be time to brood again, now THAT would be super weird.