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Broody hen adopts puppies

A hen has astonished its owners on a Shropshire farm by taking a litter of puppies under its wing. Mabel took a shine to the pups and now keeps them warm by roosting on top of them in their dog basket.

Owners Edward and Ros Tate, of Shrewsbury, said she waited until the puppies’ mother, Nettle, left them before hopping into the basket to keep them warm.

Nettle is now left out in the cold - pining for her puppies in the yard - as they nest with their adopted mother.

Mr Tate, 43, said: “We were amazed when we first it happen - my 13-year-old daughter first saw it happen and called us to come and have a look. And when we saw Mabel here roosting on the pups - we just laughed.

“Nettle was a bit startled to say the least - but she didn’t mind too much eventually. She’s happy to have a helping pair of wings.

“We’re hoping that soon Mabel will have her own chicks to look after but I don’t think Nettle will be returning the favour when that happens.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .