Hen becomes adoptive mother of ducklings in Hsinchu

Want China Times, CNA 2015-06-16

The hen surrounded by the ducklings. (Photo/CNA)

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.