‘Leading’ rooster died, everyone is out of control

[|Aphrodite|]

My ‘leading’ rooster attacked a four year old boy while trying to get his sister, Aphrodite, back to the flock. His parents were furious and pretty much forced me to kill him. He was an amazing rooster who kept everything going good, other than him being overprotective of his chickens. I thought that I would be the one most shaken because most of my chickens don’t really grieve for long (only take a day or two) but as soon as an hour passed without him everything went downhill. All the nests were destroyed, they somehow kept getting their water extra dirty, and they’re all pecking at each other. i don’t know what happened and I need help or advice!

 

[Altfrizzle]

They need to re-establish the pecking order.

 

[chickens really]

Yes...The Rooster kept things running smoothly in the Flock..Soon things should calm down.

 

[bobbi-j]

Chickens don't do change well, and an abrupt change can throw them into a dither for awhile. They'll adjust eventually...

You did the right thing in my opinion, getting rid of him after he attacked a child. You're fortunate if the kid didn't get hurt badly. That could have cost you a whole lot more than a chicken.