Amazed at pullet empathic behavior

[chicknerd]

I am just floored. I have pullets that are 23 weeks and younger. I have 2 18 week old Black Polish, Elodie an Anaise, who recently lost their cockerel friend. Anaise has been in isolation but on the mend (curly toe paralysis). I put her in her cage in the run with the other chickens so she could be with everyone.

I have been telling my DH that Elodie knows when I have Anaise around and talks to Anaise when she is there. He thought I was crazy. I brought Anaise out again today and had to travel. I did not arrive home until after dusk. I went out to bring Anaise for the night and lock up the coop.

Imagine my surprise when I find Elodie sitting on a perch outside, next to her buddy Anaise. Everyone else was in the coop. Elodie was not about to go into the coop and leave her best friend alone outside.

Whom ever says they don't have feelings - I dont believe it.

(I did put her in the coop and brought Anaise inside - but I still am amazed.)

 

[teach1rusl]

I've never had any doubts about animals experiencing emotions (in their own way) similar to human emotions...

 

[sheaviance1]

You've gotta love chicken love!

 

[Baymule]

AAWWWWW...........

 

[pgpoultry]

I have seen this behaviour in quite a few birds and animals.

A while back a dying raven (yes, I think they are nasty birds) had a 'colleague' with him in my back garden. Initially I though he was after my chicks, but he wasn't, he stayed with the dying raven until he died and for a while after. I've also seen sheep clearly mourning for a dead lamb. I have two old Warrens who no longer want the attentions of the roosters, they work as a pair to drive them away.

Hatch mates stay together and seem to show a significant bond, and your birds are showing this same endearing behaviour. Long may it continue.

Sandie

 

[alaskafarmgirl]

When my injured bird, Crippy, first got hurt, another hen became her buddy, and would bring her leafy greens from outside the coop -- when Crippy could not make the journey outside. It was memorable, and remarkable. Animals know much more than we give them credit for, and chickens are no exception.

 

[tammyd57]

That's awesome!

I've always felt that animals of all kinds have feelings for each other. Those feelings may not be identical to our own but are just as strong.
I see this every day when Mr. Jabber, my male parakeet, feeds Mrs. Jabber. She is unable to feed herself because of a severe beak malformation. But she's over 3 years old now and he has fed her every day of her life.

 

[Kasia]

I noticed that chickens and ducks form amazing friendships and bonds with each other. They also have cliques and if a newcomer wants to join their group, they all shun the newcomer. When one is sick or dying, other will lay down by its side and preen them or sofly talk to them. I have witnessed this first hand many many MANY times to believe otherwise.

 

[Dora'smom]

When Twiggy, our Welsummer was dying, and sitting very weak in the run, Dora, one of our EE's became her buddy and simply sat with her.
I've noticed a bond between Petunia, our broody Cuckoo Marans and Free Bird, one of our EE's, too. Free Bird joins her buddy in the nest box for the night, and stands by to guard Petunia whenever anyone reaches in the nest box. It's very sweet.

 

[Kasia]

On December 31, one of our ex battery hens was dying. Her name was Scarlett. She was 3 years old. She was in our bedroom on a blankie on top of the cat condo that we have for our chickens. I knew she was going to go that day, but we needed to go somewhere and then we came back home, she was still hanging on. I hugged her, told her how much I loved her, petted her and told her that if she's ready, she could go. I didn't want to watch her die, and she didn't want to die wih me watching. But she waited all day for us to come home before she went. I went downstairs to get something to drink and came back upstairs 3 minutes later. She was gone. But she wasn't alone. Our Buff Orpington, Kes, was sitting on top of the cat condo with her and preening her side. Kes was Scarletts mortal enemy. They hated each other. But when Kes felt Scarlett was about to go, she sat by her side and kept her company.