do chickens grieve like we do?

[okiecheep]

A cat killed my little old english bantum last night. She and the roo have been together a long time. I know I'm sad. Do chickens grieve when they lose their mates? I have 3 of their eggs incubating (day 12) and one I just found tonight. They were a rescue and i have no idea how to find him another mate. I showed both of them last weekend at the fair. It was a first time for all of us, blue ribbons and a reserve grand champion for the roo. I'm sad. Don't know what to do now. Any suggestions?

 

[SilkieNation]

A cat killed my little old english bantum last night. She and the roo have been together a long time. I know I'm sad. Do chickens grieve when they lose their mates? I have 3 of their eggs incubating (day 12) and one I just found tonight. They were a rescue and i have no idea how to find him another mate. I showed both of them last weekend at the fair. It was a first time for all of us, blue ribbons and a reserve grand champion for the roo. I'm sad. Don't know what to do now. Any suggestions?

I would say that chickens do not grieve, but he certainly may experience some stress, particularly since he is now alone. You should try to find another hen or two as chickens are not meant to live alone. Be sure to quarantine any new bird(s) for a minimum of three weeks, if not longer. You never know what a new bird might be carrying.

 

[ALostAngel1970]

About 4 days ago our hen Pearl died a tragic death. She was a Rhode Island White. She was Besties with Chanel our Rhode Island Red.we think in the middle of the night she got thirsty and when she stuck her head out of the pen a raccoon ripped her head off. Only one that died. I found her in the morning body by the closed gate and head 3 feet away all still in the coop. But our White Leghorn Snowflake started sleeping in the hen house instead of perching with the other four. I have brought her in the last 4 nights in a crate because I think she is scared. She eats, lays eggs, and socializes in the day but at night she hides in a nesting box. She is not on the bottom of the pecking order but I want her to feel safe. What should I do?

 

[ValleySilkies]

I have never experienced my chickens grieving. It's more our perception of grief from a human stand point.