The unlikely sight of a hen minding a flock of ducklings is now a regular fixture at a recreational farm in Hsinchu County’s Jhudong Township (竹東).
Farm owner Lin Jien-cheng (林建成) attributed the peculiar development to the arrangement of the farm, with hatcheries for chickens and ducks placed in close proximity.
Consequently, ducks and hens often return to the wrong hatchery from foraging and proceed to sit on the clutches of eggs indiscriminately.
Photo: CNA
Five days ago, as 12 ducklings broke through their egg shells and opened their eyes, one of the first things they saw was a black-feathered hen, Lin said.
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, which answer with their quacks,” Lin said.
“The hen will gather the ducklings during meal time 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 become a popular holiday destination for families.
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