Chicken Adopts Litter of Puppies

A hen in Shrewsbury, UK has been nesting on a litter of puppies born on the farm of Edward and Ros Tate. This is to the chicken’s advantage, as the Tates have since decided to not eat her:

Mr Tate said: ‘Mabel was hatched here about a year ago. She would have gone onto someone’s dinner plate but we saved her.[...]

‘We have a dog, Nettle, which has just given birth to a litter of pups. Within a few days of giving birth, Nettle was up and about, prowling in the yard.

‘Mabel observed Nettle’s behaviour and, as soon as there was a chance, she hoped into the dog basket to roost on the pups.

‘She keeps them and herself warm, while Nettle is outside on the yard.’

More and larger photos at the link.

Link via Urlesque | Photo: Anita Marik/Newsteam.co.uk