Depressed chicken 😩

[B_Chickle01]

I’m a first time chicken owner so am looking for some insight. Last week(on Election Day) i lost one of my porcelain d’uccles to a hawk while getting kids off the school busI noticed my other porcelain d’uccle seems to be acting almost as if she’s depressed! She spent a lot of time with the other one. It seems as if the whole flock is in a funk. Now my question is is could this actually be the case? Or is it just me because I’m devastated and feeling terrible about the situation. Any advice or comments are greatly appreciated!

 

[cinnamoncockatiel]

I am very sorry about your porcelain D´Uccle . How many chickens do you have and how many are D´Uccles and bantams. Was your porcelain D´Uccle close to the hen you lost?

 

[B_Chickle01]

I am very sorry about your porcelain D´Uccle . How many chickens do you have and how many are D´Uccles and bantams. Was your porcelain D´Uccle close to the hen you lost?

Thank you. I have 4 chickens 2 roosters. 1 is an older chicken we took In for a friend over the summer she’s about a year old. I have 1 d’uccle left 4 bantams. 2 Golden and 2 silver laced seabrights. The older chicken we took in I thought she was a golden comet but my mom was saying she looks like a RIR.

 

[cinnamoncockatiel]

Thank you. I have 4 chickens 2 roosters. 1 is an older chicken we took In for a friend over the summer she’s about a year old. I have 1 d’uccle left 4 bantams. 2 Golden and 2 silver laced seabrights. The older chicken we took in I thought she was a golden comet but my mom was saying she looks like a RIR.

When a bird is lost in my flock, the chickens or ducks who were the closest to them usually are depressed for a few days.
A mottle D´Uccle in my flock died a few weeks ago. Her sister was depressed the first few days. She would lay down in a corner of the run and lay there. Now she is back in the flock and I am delighted. You have a large enough flock that your chickens will help one another through the loss.
Here is an article written by a lovely chicken keeper~ https://www.yourchickens.co.uk/care...deal-with-trauma-death-and-mourning-1-5510239

 

[feather13]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Our chickens get depressed when they lose a flock mate. Recently our Barred Rock was killed by a raccoon and our RIR was pinned by the raccoon, but not killed. The hen closest to the Barred Rock was really depressed, wouldn't come near me for weeks, and would look all over for her friend. I couldn't see any injuries on the RIR, but she also died about a week after the attack. Getting a bunch of new chicks really helped lessen the depression, I think.

You might also want to consider providing more hiding places for your surviving birds. We have an old wooden door propped up against a fence that the chickens can go under when they spy a hawk.

Good luck!

 

[BunnyEberhart]

Yep. Chicken depression is a thing sadly. I lost one of my flock very young. She fell into a water dish of ice water for the dogs and died of shock. It was so fast. My other birds were sad but her sister silkie was devastated. So the rest of the flock cuddled her all night. It was sweet. On another note, no more ice water where my chicks can get to it.

 

[B_Chickle01]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Our chickens get depressed when they lose a flock mate. Recently our Barred Rock was killed by a raccoon and our RIR was pinned by the raccoon, but not killed. The hen closest to the Barred Rock was really depressed, wouldn't come near me for weeks, and would look all over for her friend. I couldn't see any injuries on the RIR, but she also died about a week after the attack. Getting a bunch of new chicks really helped lessen the depression, I think.

You might also want to consider providing more hiding places for your surviving birds. We have an old wooden door propped up against a fence that the chickens can go under when they spy a hawk.

Good luck!

It’s so heartbreaking! She was making little chirping noises that they would do when they were like talking to one another. She seems a lot better today i cuddled with her. My fiancé had this built that night that happened were working on door right now. It’s covered with deer and bird netting. I haven’t seen that hawk since thank god!

 

[B_Chickle01]

I’m really sorry for your loss also poor babies! The rooster is a lot more protective now I’ve noticed!

 

[B_Chickle01]

When a bird is lost in my flock, the chickens or ducks who were the closest to them usually are depressed for a few days.
A mottle D´Uccle in my flock died a few weeks ago. Her sister was depressed the first few days. She would lay down in a corner of the run and lay there. Now she is back in the flock and I am delighted. You have a large enough flock that your chickens will help one another through the loss.
Here is an article written by a lovely chicken keeper~ https://www.yourchickens.co.uk/care...deal-with-trauma-death-and-mourning-1-5510239

Thank you so much for your response and the article! I really appreciate it! And I’m sorry for your loss. D’Uccles are so Sweet one of my favorite breeds it made it even more heartbreaking. I know they’re often target of predators for that reason.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

I’m sorry for your loss.
However, please don’t keep 2/4 roosters.