It's been a new experience for me to watch the hens tend their chicks. Both hens continue to act as moms, with the chicks crawling under either one for warmth and protection. The first few days, the main mom stayed in the nest box and the surrogate mom posted herself just outside the chicken door to prevent the little ones from leaving the coop. Yesterday, the whole family was outside all day, with the hens teaching the chicks how to forage. The other hens remain curious, occasionally peck at the chicks, but both moms get all fluffed up when they get too close to the babes. I was somewhat concerned when all 6 tried to settle in for the night outside, and moved them back into the coop. Gary and I are going camping this afternoon, so all the chickens are on their own (we have an automatic door to the coop that opens and closes at dawn/dusk). They've done well thus far with very little human interference, so I'll just hope for the best. The chicks are starting to feather out and will be a week old tomorrow or Thursday.
The light chick with Mom #2 blocking access to the chicken door
The moms teaching the chicks how to scratch and peck
Both moms all fluffed out while another hen checks out the chicks
