South Yorkshire Times September 27, 1947

Hatched Out 20 Chicks

Record Brood Arrived At Swinton Farm

Some tell the tale of a goose which lay golden eggs but a Light Sussex hen by Mr K Broadhead, of Pottery Farm, Swinton, has gone one better than that, having hatched out 20 chickens, which must be something like a record brood.

Third family this year

Mr Broadhead told a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter that this was the third lot of chickens the hen had hatched this summer. “We hardly get any eggs, she always brings chickens instead,” Mr Broadhead said, “We miss her for a day or two then she will strut into the farmyard with some chickens.”

Mr Broadhead has never known a hen like this because she never brings less than a dozen chickens.

Mr Broadhead takes good care of the hen and her offspring by keeping them in a special pen until the chicks are strong. Unfortunately however, one chick was killed when its mother crushed it with her wing. She can hardly be blamed for that because any mother would feel rather cramped in the same room as 20 of her children. The chickens get under her wings and perch on her back so that she is quite pleased when she and they are let out for exercise.

It is a great pity there are so few patriotic hens like this, for she is certainly responding to the government’s plea for increased production. 20 chicks means many more eggs, even if we have to wait a little longer.