Hen behavior following the death of their rooster

[MGChickenRanch]

Our beautiful rooster died suddenly from an accident and the hens all moped around for a couple of days barely eating. But one hen who was hands down that rooster's favorite, seemed especially depressed. She didn't want to sit on my lap like she normally does and she just walked around the yard picking up feathers and trying to toss them over her shoulder onto her back. I have never seen that behavior and was wondering if other people have observed this in their chickens and if anyone has some guess as to what it could mean. It has been three days now since he died and fortunately everything seems to be back to normal, except I am still very sad.

 

[featherhead007]

Strange behavior, I have never witnessed that before.

 

[Chookchicken]

So sorry for you’re loss
My chickens tend to pick up feathers and put them on their backs when they are getting broody, are broody, or are about to lay.

 

[One Lucky Momma]

It’s probably a ritual to which we humans are not privy. Chickens are deep, and you’ve got a sad situation there. May your guy RIP.

 

[theoldchick]

So sorry for your loss. Your flock will be at a loss as how to behave because the leader is no longer telling them what to do. Yes, I've seen my chickens throw feathers around, their feces, and go after their flock mates after losing a member of the flock. I don't know if that is how they express their frustration but chickens do recover and get about to settling who is now the boss.

 

[Blue Raptor]

if she gets broody, you could try giving her fertilized eggs, that might take her mind off her loss.

 

[MGChickenRanch]

if she gets broody, you could try giving her fertilized eggs, that might take her mind off her loss.

None of my hens have any interest in being broody. They all just want to go out and play! Guess I will have to invest in or make an incubator if I want to hatch some new chicks!