When poultry hatch, they quickly learn to stay close to a protective carer. This phenomenon, called “imprinting,” occurs in all bird species that have good eyesight and mobility, including domestic poultry, within a few hours of hatching. As ground-nesting parents are likely to lead their family away soon after hatching to avoid predation, the young quickly learn to identify and follow their mother for protection.
Despite the protection we provide on the farm, poultry parents and their young still retain these instincts. Indeed, maternal care remains invaluable to poultry raised free-range. The mother defends her young and leads them to safety, shows them how to forage and roost, and warns them which foods to avoid. From their mother and the flock, youngsters learn appropriate social behavior and communication skills and how to identify potential mates. Therefore, it’s important
