Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Mothers are awesome. They're caring, loving and can do everything for the little ones. And I'm not only talking about amazing women, but also about all the mothers of the animal kingdom. Hens included.
Hens are known to adopt other chicks and care for them as if they were their own. Farmers have their hens adopt little chicks all the time. But sometimes hens are quick to adopt other animals as well.
Take a look at 10+ amazing mother hens and their tiny "babies". Which one of them surprised you the most?
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Hen Taking Care Of Kittens During Storm
Charles Laster 8 years ago
Aw! Needed a sweet animal picture today! I imagine the chicken thing there's something wrong with their feathers!
RELATED:
#2
Hen And Dog
Cristina Dumitrescu 8 years ago
Don't worry about the little chick, when it's ready it will make its way under its momma with no problem.
Load More Replies...
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
That look on her face is priceless. "What? What?! You got somethin ta say ta me?!"
Susann Campbell 8 years ago
The chick just came out for a breath of air and will work it's way under the feathers when it is ready. lol
Hamlets twin 8 years ago
That chicken giving the camera the stink eye! hahaha!! "Yeah, he's adopted. What of it?!"
#3
Mother Hen And Her Pigeons
Sonam Anta 8 years ago
They look like they know they don't have a choice :P
Load More Replies...
Breanne Rushing 8 years ago
She looks like she is about to shoot them like pigeon torpedoes. Ready... FIRE!
Janine Wilson 8 years ago
I may cry - I have such a thing for fledgling pigeons who lose their mums - Hens rock!
MagicalUnicorn 8 years ago
so sweet :) pigeons probably just thinks it's their mama with make up
Zoe Drake 8 years ago
The hen look's like she's thinking "I'm going to make these two gray hens not beg and steal food; like their parents!" and the pigeons are thinking " Why did our social worker think a hen was the best foster parent for us?"
Jude 8 years ago
Her two adopted babies will grow so fast and then she'll wonder how they learned to fly. "None of my other children could fly!?"
thebridget 8 years ago
I'm annoying myself just knowing what I'm about to say because I'm going to be THAT person... But chickens CAN fly
Load More Replies...
#4
Hen And Her Kittens
June Pixeld 8 years ago
Poor thing! There are too many kittens but she is tryng to keep em all warm:)
Sherlock Holmes 8 years ago
"My children may make strange noises but they are strong and beautiful and I love them."
Daria B 8 years ago
This reminds me of something I saw in TV once. There was a hen who mothered a cat lije that. Then the cat grew up, had her own kittens, but she left them to the hen to take care of them, while she roams free and takes rests, and keeps living her life as if nothing happened. What a sly cat, poor hen.
Sofia Bellavista 8 years ago
Well those "things" move around, they're not comfortable, and hens are not sitting ON them: they keep babies under their wings. Mom instinct
Load More Replies... #5
Hilda The Hen Hatches Clutch Of Ducklings After Sitting On Wrong Nest And Now They're Her Babies
logical fallacy 8 years ago
And if she's going to try and teach them to swim...
Load More Replies...
Carolina Ren 8 years ago
There is a post on tumblr of a farmer finding abandoned duck eggs so he gave them to one of his hens. The poor hen freaked out when the ducks went into a pound but calmed down after a while. The farmer would put abandoned duck eggs under the same hen from then on.
Jude 8 years ago
I remember reading something similar. The poor hen ran about at the pond's edge clucking worriedly and eventually calmed when she saw they were safe. "Someone help me! My babies are going to drown!"
Load More Replies...
Desiree Lauro 8 years ago
Who here hasn't sat on the wrong nest and ended up with strange children.
#6
My Cat Had Kittens In The Chicken Coop. When She Is Away, A Nesting Hen Babysits For Her
logical fallacy 8 years ago
The benefits of being part of a community. Will the cat babysit the chicks?
Mary Bittle 8 years ago
That's a Light Brahma hen! One of my very favorite breeds! *hugs grin* And they are definitely sweet enough to take care of others' babies. 😊
#7
Piglet And Mother Hen
Hamlets twin 8 years ago
Wow! do you still have a keyboard after that?! Well worth it regardless
Load More Replies... Sofia Bellavista 8 years ago
So you looked at this pic and thought of killing them. Looks like that hen has more empathy than you, Lauren.
Load More Replies...
Veronica Goddard 8 years ago
This one absolutely does it for me; chicken and a piglet! My idea of bliss.
#8
Hen And Her Kittens
#9
Hen And Her Adopted Litter Of Puppies
Mina Molnar 8 years ago
What if they just like to sit on other animals? Like "Yass, I leave the smell of my butt all over them" XD
K Michel Cromwell 8 years ago
They are under her wings and chest...it's a very warm place to be. Their butt is far to the back of the chicken.
Load More Replies...
lindsay08espique 8 years ago
Actually, the puppies' mom is still around, but when momma takes a break, the hen substitutes for her...
Jovy Jergens 8 years ago
Thank God I'm vegan! This story makes my heart soar! If anyone goes to KFC today, shame on you! I truly believe that one of our (we talking apes) main purposes on this priceless planet (which we are trashing) is to Evolve, not Devolve. We have a responsibility to the other animals and life forms on this suffering Mother Earth. Thanks for sharing.
Hannah Payne 8 years ago
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
#10
Gertrud The Chicken Adopted American Rhea Chicks
Mary Bittle 8 years ago
Oh dear... they'll outgrow being able to even fit one under mom soon, lol!
#11
Mother Of All
logical fallacy 8 years ago
Chicks always look like this, eyes kinda slanted.
Load More Replies...
Mary Bittle 8 years ago
And another Light Brahma! I'm telling you, folks, they're the sweetest breed around!
Linda Brown 8 years ago
Wow just look at all those babies. Think you might need some help mama
#12
Tiny Goat's Father Rooster (Still Counts)
Amanda Harker 8 years ago
Naww he's still behaving as a hen would. God help you if you got too close to his baby!
Missy Finley 8 years ago
As a woman who grew up on a farm and has tangled with ALOT of hens and roosters I can tell you the only thing thing that will f**k you up more than a chicken protecting her( or his) brood is a goose with goslings. Well, goose or gander, because geese mate in pairs, keeping the same mate for life. Geese are ferocious anyway, but God help you if you step too close to their babies!! I've got 2 scars to this day because of geese!! :D
Jude 8 years ago
Geese are actually dangerous if they're protecting young. So are swans. Glad you got off lightly coming away with scars. I've heard of geese breaking a person's shin (tibia) with their wings as they're strong!
Load More Replies...
Iglika Asenova 8 years ago
The title was changed after I post my comment. Don't judge before you consider a little :)
Load More Replies... Heather Keedy Bateman 8 years ago
Yeah. I'm not sure he's guarding the goat. He looks like he's about to poo on his head! xD
Iglika Asenova 8 years ago
This is not a hen, but a c**k. Hens do not have big wattles and comb.
#13
Can A Chicken Raise A Duck?
ChubbySquid 8 years ago
Duckling: 'Hey Mum. Hey Mum. Hey Mum. Hey Mum.' Hen (in head): 'This was a terrible mistake...'
Susann Campbell 8 years ago
This baby wants to go to the water way to swim and eat. The owners should put a pool of water near by and put the duck in it with some feed.
Deanna Bartholomew 1 year ago
My chicken has raised two sets of chickens so this time we put duck eggs under her. She always takes them to the little pond we have for them so they can go for a swim and eat the duck weed we put in it.
#14
Chicken Adopted An Orphaned Duckling
logical fallacy 8 years ago
'And this, little chick, is how you peck for corn.' 'But mama, my beak-' 'enough with excuses!' 'But mama the pond-'
jasmine chilton 8 years ago
Hen: WHAT ON PLANET EARTH HAPPENED TO IT'S BEAK!? BE GONE CREATURE FROM ANOTHER RELM!! Duckling: Quack?
Reta Edgar 3 years ago
Growing up in the country we had a mama duck get killed by a combine in a hay field. my dad rescued the eggs and put them under one of our chickens. When they hatched she was the best mama . the barn was right beside an irrigation ditch so when the ducklings were older and discovered water and jumped in poor mama was frantic. Those mallard ducks returned to our ditch every summer for the next 4 or five years.
Linda Brown 8 years ago
Hi there young one, now these are the rules. You listen to me and I protect you, ok
#15
Hen Adopts 4 Kittens
Jude 8 years ago
Does it matter? Still sweet and shows how loving hens are.
Load More Replies... Linda Cross 7 years ago
What is it with hens and kittens? What is the problem with the cat mom?
#16
Baby Jackdaw Adopted By Broody Hen & Fed By Us
#17
Momma Hen And Her Ducklings
Patriciarowell 8 years ago
I wonder if the hen thinks her 'babies' have speech impediments when they quack?
#18
Chicken Adopts Baby Ostriches
Magpie 8 years ago
And don't all good mums love it when their children out reach themselves . :-)
Kara 8 years ago
Is that like when a father is secretly proud when son can finally beat/dunk on him in basketball?
Load More Replies... Linda Brown 8 years ago
My how my babies have grown. Must be hormones in the food, they are so much bigger, lol
Emma Gascoyne 8 years ago
Damn. You know it's cute when I can't decide weather Harry Styles is cuter than this...
#19
Ducklings For Mother Hen
logical fallacy 8 years ago
Either the duck is under her wing, or this is the world famous amazing bodiless duck trick.
TheRubyFalcon 8 years ago
I thought that the chick's head was the hen's head for a moment.
Load More Replies... Jennifer Kemp 6 years ago
It's just a wee bantam hen mothering ducklings that will quickly double her in size! Sweet, brave, plucky little lass.
Linda Brown 8 years ago
Very strange, one chick so buried in mom's feathers can only see her head
#20
This Small Cat Lost Her Mother And The Hen Adopted Him
Sherlock Holmes 8 years ago
Considering that chickens are mostly domesticated, I'd guess the hen's owners feed the kitten.
Load More Replies...
Linda Matheny 8 years ago
I'm with you Chelsea, how do the kittens suckle? Humans step in and bottle feed?
#21
Hen Adopts Litter Of Kittens For Mother's Day
#22
Hen And Her Adopted Litter Of Puppies
#23
Broody Babysits Fantail Pigeons
LadyAna 8 years ago
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+fantail+pigeons&oq=what+are+fantail+pigeons&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.3975j0j4&client=ms-android-att-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
Load More Replies... #24
This Dummy Stole A Litter Of Kittens From Their Mother
Patriciarowell 8 years ago
When mama cat finds out who has her babies, I'm sure the hen will not be real happy.
Elena Suarez 8 years ago
God, this is so sweet. The best post I have seen in a while. It surely made my day. Thanks for sharing
#25
The Most Lucky Duckling Of The Planet
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Zori the degu 8 years ago
Hens are widely underestimated birds. They seem dumb. True. Sometimes they look scary, which is partly because they were actually dinosaurs few dozen million years ago. And let's be honest, not all people find them cute. But lists like this one show these birdies' unexpected side. Many hens made friends with other species and according to different researches they can have best friends. And did you know that thanks to their help some species of birds(like the New Zealand Takahe) were saved from extinction? And of course, remember the tons of eggs hens produce for us along with all this meat! I just want to say that next time you pass by a group of these chickens you can silently thank them for all they did and do for us and I swear, I wouldn't think you've gone mental at all.
Sunzilla 8 years ago
We should stop eating animals. They are much better than us.
Load More Replies...
Hayley Lightcap 8 years ago
My favorite thing about this, is how naturally pissed off chickens look at all times lol
Magpie 8 years ago
Wish humans could treat each other as well. These animals are crossing species' lines, if we could all cross language / skin / religion/ ability / etc etc. lines to be so kind. ok sorry having a bad day following listening to news about wars.
John L 8 years ago
Its nice to see chickens expressing the 'parental love' for others. But I take exception to your title. The are not "the best moms in the animal kingdom." That title is reserved to mammals, who give live birth and nurse the young from day one. This creates a bond that egg layers cannot equal. This is like one of my favorite sayings: The chicken was involved(laying the egg), while the mammal was committed( giving a living part of her body). ;D
Andrew Cas 8 years ago
What about the echidnas and the platypus then smart a*s, there mammals that lay eggs!
Load More Replies...
Usernameofgag 8 years ago
Fiercest mom in the world. I remember when i was 4yo. I played with one of chick that my grandma have. Then, the mommy came and she chase me.
SarahScouse 8 years ago
I will never look at hens again in the same way, they are better mothers than some humans.
Patrick Farley 8 years ago
Pigeon 'mama' looks like she's thinking, 'they're ugly, but they're mine'
Joelle Jansen 8 years ago
My grandfather kept birds for show and chickens for the eggs. But his pheasants (pretty but finicky birds) would never brood their eggs. So every once in a while he'd just put a chicken on the pheasant eggs. The "adoption" always went great!
Benski Trenkins 8 years ago
Love posts like this. Interspecies motherhood... nature and the Mother Instinct is amazing.
Zori the degu 8 years ago
Hens are widely underestimated birds. They seem dumb. True. Sometimes they look scary, which is partly because they were actually dinosaurs few dozen million years ago. And let's be honest, not all people find them cute. But lists like this one show these birdies' unexpected side. Many hens made friends with other species and according to different researches they can have best friends. And did you know that thanks to their help some species of birds(like the New Zealand Takahe) were saved from extinction? And of course, remember the tons of eggs hens produce for us along with all this meat! I just want to say that next time you pass by a group of these chickens you can silently thank them for all they did and do for us and I swear, I wouldn't think you've gone mental at all.
Sunzilla 8 years ago
We should stop eating animals. They are much better than us.
Load More Replies... Hayley Lightcap 8 years ago
My favorite thing about this, is how naturally pissed off chickens look at all times lol
Magpie 8 years ago
Wish humans could treat each other as well. These animals are crossing species' lines, if we could all cross language / skin / religion/ ability / etc etc. lines to be so kind. ok sorry having a bad day following listening to news about wars.
John L 8 years ago
Its nice to see chickens expressing the 'parental love' for others. But I take exception to your title. The are not "the best moms in the animal kingdom." That title is reserved to mammals, who give live birth and nurse the young from day one. This creates a bond that egg layers cannot equal. This is like one of my favorite sayings: The chicken was involved(laying the egg), while the mammal was committed( giving a living part of her body). ;D
Andrew Cas 8 years ago
What about the echidnas and the platypus then smart a*s, there mammals that lay eggs!
Load More Replies... Usernameofgag 8 years ago
Fiercest mom in the world. I remember when i was 4yo. I played with one of chick that my grandma have. Then, the mommy came and she chase me.
SarahScouse 8 years ago
I will never look at hens again in the same way, they are better mothers than some humans.
Patrick Farley 8 years ago
Pigeon 'mama' looks like she's thinking, 'they're ugly, but they're mine'
Joelle Jansen 8 years ago
My grandfather kept birds for show and chickens for the eggs. But his pheasants (pretty but finicky birds) would never brood their eggs. So every once in a while he'd just put a chicken on the pheasant eggs. The "adoption" always went great!
Benski Trenkins 8 years ago
Love posts like this. Interspecies motherhood... nature and the Mother Instinct is amazing.
Related on Bored Panda
