Meet the hen that thinks it's a dog

Meet Mabel, the year-old Shrewsbury hen who thinks she's a dog.

Mabel has adopted a litter of puppies at the farm of Edward and Ros Tate - leaving their real mum, Nettle, in a huff.

The chicken, who was saved from the pot by Mr Tate, has taken to roosting on a litter of puppies.

Mr Tate, of The Isle at Bicton Heath, said: "Mabel was hatched here about a year ago. She would have gone onto someone's dinner plate but we saved her.

"Unfortunately, she got into an accident with a horse, which accidentally trod on her foot. Because of that, she gets terribly cold during the winter so we decided to bring her into the house.

"We have a dog, Nettle, which has just given birth to a litter of pups. Within a few days of giving birth, Nettle was up and about, prowling in the yard.

"Mabel observed Nettle's behaviour and, as soon as there was a chance, she hoped into the dog basket to roost on the pups. She keeps them - and herself - warm, while Nettle is outside on the yard."

Mr Tate's 13-year-old daughter, Miranda, has taken it upon herself to make sure the pups grow up safely. She said Nettle and Mabel had not come to blows, and Mabel graciously made way when Nettle returned.

Miranda said: "Sometimes it gets a bit tricky and we have to intervene. I'm not sure Nettle is impressed. But by and large there's no real trouble."

Mr Tate, who makes houses for hens through his company, www.houses forhens.co.uk, said the pups seemed to enjoy the extra attention that Mabel lavished on them.