Depressed Hens

[Skacutter]

Still a very newbie at this chicken stuff. I have 5 hens and a rooster. They all live in the same coop and free range the property. The rooster started fighting or chasing the hens and my 8 year old daughter so we gave him away to another chicken owner. My hens are clearly depressed. They all huddle in a corner of the coop and they are very quiet all the time now. Is this a known side effect of taking a rooster away from the hens? they are all about 3 or 4 months old.

 

[Mrs. K]

How long ago did you do it? Chickens hate change. Two -three days and they won’t remember. If they are still depressed, I would check for something else not being right.
Mrs.K

 

[aart]

They are not 'depressed', they are upset with the change.
Give them time to adjust, toss them a few treats.
Agrees with @Mrs. K if they are not active again within a couple day then look for other problems.

 

[Chickassan]

My girls would thow a party if I ditched the boys! They'll be fine, it is no different than if you switched feeders or put up a new roost.

 

[snow5164]

Maybe they used to follow him , roosters are the head of the family


Try giving them anew treat , watermelon or some other fruit just to distract , maybe they think he’s gone to the farm in the sky and they’re next

 

[Skacutter]

maybe they think he’s gone to the farm in the sky and they’re next

LOL... I think so. Yes the girls use to follow the rooster all over the place. He was in charge of keeping them together. They seem to be a bit better today so I guess they have forgotten him. Now they follow my wife around like she is the rooster.