They're both 2 1/2 so age should not be a factor. They are also both dominant - they are both Black Copper Marans
My French Marans hens tend to be quite confident, dominant but still very friendly and they can get very attached. I have seen older hens that were the favourites of the removed/culled rooster show behaviour similar to grieving/depression for several weeks, i.e. stopping to lay only eating the bare minimum and generally separating themselves from those that did not "share" their sentiments of loss.As for laying - they were both laying 3-4 eggs per week. When their roo was culled, Rebecca stopped altogether, and it was not seasonal molt.
Other hens that were not the favourites even seemed rather relieved and eager to get aquainted with the new male. During this time the usual hierarchy is messed up and the negotiation of the ranks/positions will be newly negotiated.
When I first started my chicken adventure almost 25 years ago I never would have believed chickens capabale of the amount of social skills and interaction as well as individuality that they display. Some are real characters, clever and affectionate while others show more independent traits and some seem to be just a bit dumb.
It was a very enlightening and still ongoing learning curve for me.
I do not tend to anthropomorphize animals and their behaviour, but they have feelings too.