Can chickens die from depression?

Mar 29, 2019
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A few years back, I had 2 polish chickens called Polski and Mouthwash. They were sisters and they were inseparable. One day Mouthwash escaped the coop and got picked off by a hawk. When Polski noticed she wasn’t there, she went to look for her. She never found her. Wfter a few days, Polski wouldn’t go near the other hens we have. She also wouldn’t eat, drink or go outside. About a week later, she went into what looked like a coma, not waking up at all. She died about 3 days later. I think it was from depression but I’m not to sure.
 
A few years back, I had 2 polish chickens called Polski and Mouthwash. They were sisters and they were inseparable. One day Mouthwash escaped the coop and got picked off by a hawk. When Polski noticed she wasn’t there, she went to look for her. She never found her. Wfter a few days, Polski wouldn’t go near the other hens we have. She also wouldn’t eat, drink or go outside. About a week later, she went into what looked like a coma, not waking up at all. She died about 3 days later. I think it was from depression but I’m not to sure.
:welcome

I think @ButtonquailGirl14 knows a good amount about chicken behaviour. I'd have to do some research before I can help you out.
 
A few years back, I had 2 polish chickens called Polski and Mouthwash. They were sisters and they were inseparable. One day Mouthwash escaped the coop and got picked off by a hawk. When Polski noticed she wasn’t there, she went to look for her. She never found her. Wfter a few days, Polski wouldn’t go near the other hens we have. She also wouldn’t eat, drink or go outside. About a week later, she went into what looked like a coma, not waking up at all. She died about 3 days later. I think it was from depression but I’m not to sure.
absolutely! I almost had it happen too, I had two un-seper able EE chicks.. it a long story, but basically right in front of me a hawk infiltrated my little play pen for the chicks, killed one, and flew off... I was VERY sad, but my little Nutmeg still hasn't recovered.. not only has she become a sweet and curious bird, but also went from high up in the pecking order, to the very bottom... she has also failed to really thrive, and went from large and vigorous, too small and weak... She seems to be getting better now, but it has almost been a year!
 
Eh....maybe. But I'm not one to anthropomorphize.
But chickens can be seriously stressed by changes in the flock.
I'd bet that these two formed a 'sub-flock' and wonder if they got picked on by the rest of the flock, as floppy topped birds often do. Once the one was gone the rest of the flock may have picked on the remaining bird even more, maybe keeping it from the feed and water, increasing the stress of losing it's buddy. There also could have been underlying illness that was not noticed before. Was the weather extreme at the time of death? Just my thoughts on the situation.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC @RandomChickenOwner.
 

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