Do hens attach to a caretaker?

[StonycroftChicks]

Do hens have an emotional response to their caretaker? I broke my leg a week ago and I'm not able to tend to my hens on my own. My husband and sons have been tending to them daily but perhaps without the frequency of visits, treats, or verbal interaction. For the past three days my hens have laid a minimal number of eggs. I thought my people weren't checking all of the spots for eggs, but that is not the case. I can't easily make it out to the run or coop with a broken leg. However, for the sake of an experiment I think I'd like to go out to the run to talk to the hens while I advise feeding and then see if there's a change in production. Any insight on decreased egg production with change of primary caretaker?

 

[RoyalChick]

No idea about link to egg production, but I am confident hens know the differences between people.

 

[SourRoses]

Don't worry, they don't come preinstalled with glue or duct tape.



Seriously though, what I've noticed is they get attached to their expectations. So if two or more people manage them the same way, the birds act like we're interchangeable.
My mother and I both care for our flock of chickens, we walk the same, say the same sort of things as we open or close the coop, give the same amount of food and so on.
If some loud guy came marching through their pen they would probably be very stressed at the difference.
I don't think a lack of treats or talking would impact egg laying, but startles and stress definitely do.
You can coach your males to speak softly and walk slower around the chickens, that might reduce their stress. If they are not patient enough to slow down, have them minimize contact by putting out the feed, water, etc. first, and only then let the chickens out and promptly remove themselves so the hens can find their equilibrium sooner. Also make sure they are giving fresh clean water, as dehydration is one thing that can stop a hens laying cycle in its tracks.

I'm sorry about your leg. Broken bones are the worst!