Behavior change after predator attack

[Browniethechicken]

I have two remaining pullets (12 weeks) after a predator got three of them. I have noticed that the two remaining are much more cautious now and want to be around me more. Do you think they are traumatized? These chickens were not the friendliest (although did tolerate me well) but stick around me more and kind of follow me around during our free range time which I enjoy so much. They seem different and I think we are more bonded or maybe they just want to feel safe. They even follow me when I call them back into their run and coop and they never did that before.

 

[Callender Girl]

They ARE traumatized; they were subjected to witnessing the death of their coop mates and escaping a similar fate. When my Buff Orpington was the lone survivor of a mink attack, Honey wasn't herself for quite a while.

I took her out of the coop where everyone was massacred and put Honey in with other hens so she would have company and, hopefully, feel safer. But, she was still withdrawn and nervous for a while. Eventually, since all my birds mingle during the daytime when I'm home, she found her own friends -- not the ones I chose -- and has cooped with a BLRW and two Salmon Faverolles ever since. She is fully once again the Queen of All Chickens.

So, I think your littles will eventually work through their trauma, but it won't be immediate. I'd take advantage of and enjoy their newfound bond with you. I'm sorry for your --and their -- losses.

 

[RubelliteRose]

I am so sorry for your loss . Yes, your girls are traumatized, but they will work through it. When we lost Opal (my avatar) to a hawk, the entire flock was quieter and more subdued in general for days. They stopped free ranging as far and Hazel, who we think was near Opal during the attack, didn't cross open ground for several months. The whole flock seemed to bond as well and traveled more in a single group instead of the two groups we had before the attack. While these behaviors eventually faded, they didn't entirely go away with time. Your girls will slowly start to venture away from you, but I would say that they probably HAVE bonded with you and will remain friendlier even as the trauma fades

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, they have learned fear and caution from the attack.

But the immediate memory of the attack will fade and they'll be more like themselves after a while.

 

[Browniethechicken]

Yes, they have learned fear and caution from the attack.

But the immediate memory of the attack will fade and they'll be more like themselves after a while.

Thank you ughhh so sad

 

[Browniethechicken]

I am so sorry for your loss . Yes, your girls are traumatized, but they will work through it. When we lost Opal (my avatar) to a hawk, the entire flock was quieter and more subdued in general for days. They stopped free ranging as far and Hazel, who we think was near Opal during the attack, didn't cross open ground for several months. The whole flock seemed to bond as well and traveled more in a single group instead of the two groups we had before the attack. While these behaviors eventually faded, they didn't entirely go away with time. Your girls will slowly start to venture away from you, but I would say that they probably HAVE bonded with you and will remain friendlier even as the trauma fades

Thank you! This is hopeful

 

[Browniethechicken]

They ARE traumatized; they were subjected to witnessing the death of their coop mates and escaping a similar fate. When my Buff Orpington was the lone survivor of a mink attack, Honey wasn't herself for quite a while.

I took her out of the coop where everyone was massacred and put Honey in with other hens so she would have company and, hopefully, feel safer. But, she was still withdrawn and nervous for a while. Eventually, since all my birds mingle during the daytime when I'm home, she found her own friends -- not the ones I chose -- and has cooped with a BLRW and two Salmon Faverolles ever since. She is fully once again the Queen of All Chickens.

So, I think your littles will eventually work through their trauma, but it won't be immediate. I'd take advantage of and enjoy their newfound bond with you. I'm sorry for your --and their -- losses.

Thank you! So sorry too