How long will mourning last?

[lv9777]

Yeah I understand how chickens can’t feel the same emotions but based off of how close they were the only way to describe how he’s acting is grieving… so he should get better soon then? That’s good to hear. I hate seeing him so sad and dirty

He should improve. Stress can impact health, so make sure he is healthy.

 

[nuthatched]

Would he in an Alaskan winter? Even if he’s in the coop? He isn’t even a year old yet

It doesn't matter where you are, I have a few 7 month olds thar are molting. Or it could be an illness

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I agree with the others he may not be feeling well, but here is an excellent article on birds mourning. There are also interesting stories in the comments below.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/do-poultry-mourn-over-the-loss-of-a-flock-mate.67429/

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

Since it's been a month since your hen passed, I doubt he's mourning. It's not as if he doesn't have company. I would be concerned he's not feeling well.

I agree with this. He’s probably got something else going on. I personally doubt chickens mourn, and if they do, its probably very short. They couldn’t function in a harsh world where their lives are so cheap if they spent a lot of time in grief.

 

[countrybumpkin5]

For anyone reading that doesn't already know and use these two products for grief and stress, Ignatia homeopathic pellets (or tincture) is really good for grief and sadness and often only takes a few days of dosing at most. Also, Bach Rescue Remedy is essential to have on hand for any acute stresses, injuries, shock, and grief, and that includes (as well as the ignatia), for people as well as any and all animals, birds, reptiles, etc.

 

[TinyRaptorDodos]

For anyone reading that doesn't already know and use these two products for grief and stress, Ignatia homeopathic pellets (or tincture) is really good for grief and sadness and often only takes a few days of dosing at most. Also, Bach Rescue Remedy is essential to have on hand for any acute stresses, injuries, shock, and grief, and that includes (as well as the ignatia), for people as well as any and all animals, birds, reptiles, etc.

He seems to be doing fine now thankfully, though he might be sterile. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was grief that was the only hen that was his hatch mate.
I completely forgot about ignatia