How does a hen feed the chicks?

* Crop milk production: The hen's crop, a pouch in her esophagus, produces a milky substance rich in protein, fats, and antibodies.

* Feeding: The hen regurgitates this crop milk directly into the chicks' beaks. This is a specialized adaptation for feeding young, much like mammals produce milk.

* Duration: The chicks are fed crop milk for about the first few days of their lives. As they grow, they begin to peck at food and eventually transition to eating solid food.

Other ways hens care for their chicks:

* Brooding: The hen keeps her chicks warm by sitting on them.

* Protection: The hen protects her chicks from predators and other threats.

* Leading: The hen teaches her chicks to find food and water.

While hens don't have teats or mammary glands like mammals, they provide essential nourishment for their chicks in this unique and effective way.