When penguin chicks form creches do the adults look after each other's chicks? : 2006-01-08
The answer is: not really. Parents feed only their own chicks – although hungry chicks are not averse to begging a meal from any adult. If it is not their own parent, however, they are likely to receive a peck and nothing else for their troubles. Somewhat similarly, adults in a creche will not necessarily rush to protect a chick that is being attacked by predators such as skuas. However, the mere presence of adults around a creche does help deter would-be predators and thereby does afford the chicks some protection.