The
unlikely sight of a hen minding a paddling of ducklings is now a regular
fixture at a recreational farm in Hsinchu's Zhudong township in northwestern Taiwan.
According
its proprietor Lin Jien-cheng, the peculiar development is due to the
arrangement of the farm, which places the hatcheries for chickens and ducks
within close proximity. Consequently, ducks and hens often return to the wrong
hatchery from foraging and proceed to sit on the clutches of eggs
indiscriminately.
Five days
ago, as 12 ducklings broke through their egg shells and opened their eyes, one
of the very first things they saw was a black-feathered hen, said Lin. The 12
ducklings quickly latched onto the hen, and surprisingly, the hen became their
adoptive mother and began caring for them.
"You
will hear the hen cackling at the ducklings, who answer with their
quacks," said Lin. "The hen will gather the ducklings during meal
times, and lead them to the stream to waddle in the water," he added.
The hen and
her ducklings soon became the talk of the farm.
Apart from
chickens and ducks, guinea pigs can be found scurrying across the recreational
farm, while large flocks of pigeons may be found foraging at the nearby fruit
and flower fields.
Home to a
wide variety of farm animals, the recreational farm has now risen among the
most sought after holiday destinations for families.
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