Can chooks grieve?

**frias** · 28-11-2009, 04:17 PM

I didn't think so as when losing hens previously my others didn't seem to notice and nothing changed. However my 3 boys went this moring and Rose, their sister has spent the day on her own looking very lonely. All the remaining hens are ex-batts, so are older and she's not mixing with them.

Hopefully this won't last for both Squeaky and Rose.

**moola** · 28-11-2009, 05:04 PM

I think if you have hens that have buddied up then they do notice that something is different and maybe need time to adjust.

I have had 2 of breeds and if one died they seemed more affected. I think that although all chooks are meant to speak the same language, different breeds do make slightly different noises (my freisian fowl make really odd squeaks -double dutch hahaha!) If I am bringing in new breeds now I get a minimum of 3 hopefully 4.

**frias** · 28-11-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by moola View Post

I think if you have hens that have buddied up then they do notice that something is different and maybe need time to adjust.

I have had 2 of breeds and if one died they seemed more affected. I think that although all chooks are meant to speak the same language, different breeds do make slightly different noises (my freisian fowl make really odd squeaks -double dutch hahaha!) If I am bringing in new breeds now I get a minimum of 3 hopefully 4.

I need a another Welsummer pullet then so Rose is not the only one.

**Eco-Chic** · 28-11-2009, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by Suechooks View Post

As you know one of my oldest ex-batts died on Monday. She was in a flock of younger birds including 4 new ex-batts, along with Squeakyhen who "came out" in the same batch as Hattie. After a couple of days I've noticed Squeaky is sitting on her own ignoring everyone else while in the run. She came out free ranging earlier and scratted about with the others. Once back in the run she went to her corner and just sat there.

She's not being bullied although there is a re-organisation of the pecking order since Hattie went, so some are being picked on but not her.
I felt awful leaving her there earlier - she looked so sad.

Any thoughts?

My guess is yes, Squeaky is missing Hattie but will become accustomed and integrate with the others soon. I don't think it's the same as mama switching off from the chicks 'cos that's biologically driven.

**RichmondHens** · 28-11-2009, 06:01 PM

I think they do miss their pals if they have one particular friend and then get separated, for whatever reason. It doesn't last long though. Birds have short memories.

I recently had two cocks that had buddied up and one went in the freezer, leaving his mate behind. The one left certainly did moon around for a few days, but he's now gone into another pen so is distracted by having to integrate with new birds.

**mr darcy** · 28-11-2009, 10:26 PM

yes, they greive, and worry i think, scarlet wouldn't go in a nestbox to lay her eggs for a week after indie died in one, she has still never been back in the one that her friend died in and mr D looked for her for days...

**frias** · 29-11-2009, 11:59 AM

I'm really thinking yes now as my girls have been so noisy this morning. More noise than the cockerels ever made. I'm wondering if they are calling for them or worried who's going next.

**Nicos** · 29-11-2009, 02:37 PM

I had 3 original hatchings in early Spring- 1 female and 2 lads. They were always last into the coop.
When 'we' dispatched the 2 lads Tippytoes was still last into the coop- but was very panicky cos she was a lone female out in the dusk/dark.
It took her about 4 weeks to get used to the lads not being around- cos they both looked after her in the field too

I'd say they're confused at- rather than grieve for- the change in pecking order.

...might be wrong though

**walldanzig** · 30-11-2009, 01:35 PM

I'm not sure about this I think they do have some sort of memory I hatched a load then after about 3 months seperated the cockerals I then waited till they where old enough which was about 6 months and put the ones I was keeping back in. They where kept in two seperate locations there was no bullying or trouble they just got on with it and where happy, My friend took one of the cocks and his hens went wild pecking the cockeral and attacking him. Makes you think they recognised each other.

**moola** · 30-11-2009, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by frias View Post

I'm really thinking yes now as my girls have been so noisy this morning. More noise than the cockerels ever made. I'm wondering if they are calling for them or worried who's going next.

I certainly felt the same when I slaughtered my table birds in batches this summer.

As for buying new hens to accompany same (lone) breeds - I tried this and it was awfully hard work. I had to buddy up the newbie to the odd lone one and then re-intergrate. When they did re-intergrate the newbie was still very much a newbie and took absolutely ages to settle in even though she had a 'friend' as such. I wouldn't do this again tbh - I would let the lone chook just settle into the new order.

**frias** · 30-11-2009, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by moola View Post

I certainly felt the same when I slaughtered my table birds in batches this summer.

As for buying new hens to accompany same (lone) breeds - I tried this and it was awfully hard work. I had to buddy up the newbie to the odd lone one and then re-intergrate. When they did re-intergrate the newbie was still very much a newbie and took absolutely ages to settle in even though she had a 'friend' as such. I wouldn't do this again tbh - I would let the lone chook just settle into the new order.

The others don't bully her but she's obviously bottom of the pecking order. The 6 ex-batts are older of course and Rose is only 18 weeks old. She is spending a lot of time sitting on some roosting bars in the run or on an old tyre which the old girls don't do. My OH (who always says the chooks are mine) has taken to hand feeding her make sure she's eating enough. He can be softie sometimes.

**Suechooks** · 01-12-2009, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by frias View Post

My OH (who always says the chooks are mine) has taken to hand feeding her make sure she's eating enough. He can be softie sometimes.

She's gonna be one spoilt girl! Let's hope she starts laying lovely dark eggs for her "Daddy"!

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