Rooster in Ordu, Turkey, incubates eggs and cares for chicks

In the Perşembe district of Ordu, Turkey, a hobbyist rooster has gained attention for successfully incubating eggs and caring for chicks. Alaattin Güler, a breeder with 30 years of experience, reported that his Indian rooster, named ‘Sultan Baba’, took over incubation after a hen failed to sit on a set of eggs.

Out of 13 eggs, five chicks hatched, though three subsequently died, leaving two survivors. Güler noted that the rooster exhibits maternal behaviors typically seen in hens, such as protecting the chicks from other poultry and attempting to feed them with its beak.

Local residents and Güler’s mother, Şenan Güler, expressed surprise at the phenomenon, noting that such behavior is extremely rare. Observers described the event as a ‘one in a million’ occurrence.