Chickens at Symbio Wildlife Park in Southern Sydney have stepped into an unexpected parenting role, becoming the proud “mother hens” of two adorable emu chicks!

Muffin and Socks, affectionately named after Bluey and Bingo’s chaos-inducing cousins, hatched just three weeks ago and are already stealing hearts. The striped youngsters have quickly become the pride and joy of their unlikely adoptive mums, Lucy and Ethel, a pair of Brahma x ISA Brown chickens. With endless patience and affection, Lucy and Ethel are lovingly teaching the chicks how to walk, peck for food, and even how to play.

This remarkable story began after the eggs were incubated for eight weeks. In the wild, it is the male emu who incubates the eggs and then takes on the sole role of raising the chicks once they hatch. However, in this case, the father abandoned the chicks, leaving the Symbio team to step in.

To ensure the chicks had the best possible start, Symbio’s keepers introduced them to Lucy and Ethel and the results were outstanding! The devoted hens quickly took to their unusual foster family.

“When they’re not under the watchful wings of Lucy and Ethel, the chicks spend time with their favourite human, Zookeeper Caroline,” said Daniel Rumsey at Symbio Wildlife Park. “Caroline plays, runs, and even enjoys cuddles with them, making sure they feel safe and socialised. Between their chicken mums and human best friend, these chicks are certainly not short on love.”

The rare sight of chickens raising emus has delighted keepers and visitors, offering a unique opportunity to see the curiosity of the animal kingdom up close! Visitors to Symbio will be able to watch the chicks grow and explore, and no doubt cause some chaos down the line!

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