is our rooster hurt or mourning?

[Acorreia]

we had a flock of 10 hens and one rooster, well the night before last one hen passed away and my boyfriend found her early yesterday morning and decided to let the rest out into the fenced in area around the coop earlier than usual.. when i went to check on them a few hours later four were in the fenced in area but had been killed (there were two holes dug under the fence) and one was missing so we lost a total of 6.. we still have 4 hens and the rooster.. well the rooster seemed ok yesterday walking around but wasnt crowing like he normally does and had some blood on him but didnt seem to be injured.. but when i went out there this morning to let them out of the coop he was still in the back where they roost and stood up and spread his wings when he saw me (he is sometimes aggresive towards me) but then laid down and wasnt crowing or coming out, was just wondering if he was upset or might be injured?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

So sorry for your loss!

Your rooster.. is very likely in a little bit of shock if not injured. Checking him over for puncture wounds would be a good idea, sounds like he may have been a chicken abd avoided the activity during the attack. Possibly even a bit scared for his own life still. Sound a lot like the behavior seen after an attack of this sort or sometimes after a rooster brawl, by the loser. Maybe a bit of a broken spirit... They are creatures oh habit... losing half his flock and some of his confidence to protect them has GOT to impact him some. Give him a chance to process. He will probably come around a bit.

Sounds like you might have had a fox attack. E wire is very effective.

I would just try to make sure I see him drinking, as dehydration can become an issue quickly.

In other words... he could be injured, check him over. But he is definitely upset!

 

[Acorreia]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

So sorry for your loss!

Your rooster.. is very likely in a little bit of shock if not injured. Checking him over for puncture wounds would be a good idea, sounds like he may have been a chicken abd avoided the activity during the attack. Possibly even a bit scared for his own life still. Sound a lot like the behavior seen after an attack of this sort or sometimes after a rooster brawl, by the loser. Maybe a bit of a broken spirit... They are creatures oh habit... losing half his flock and some of his confidence to protect them has GOT to impact him some. Give him a chance to process. He will probably come around a bit.

Sounds like you might have had a fox attack. E wire is very effective.

I would just try to make sure I see him drinking, as dehydration can become an issue quickly.

In other words... he could be injured, check him over. But he is definitely upset!

thanks for replying, we bought the house a few months ago and the chickens were left for us by the previous owners so we are still learning.. my boyfriend did pick him up and and check for any wounds but didnt see anything so i'm hoping he is just a little shocked and will hopefully come around. do you think leaving them locked up in the coop would maybe make him feel a bit more secure instead of immediately letting them back out into the open?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

do you think leaving them locked up in the coop would maybe make him feel a bit more secure instead of immediately letting them back out into the open?

Hard to say for sure since all animals are individuals.

But definitely wouldn't be letting them out without identifying and eliminating the threat... OR better securing the area... whatever it was, KNOWS there is more chicken dinner and chasing fun... and they WILL return until nothing is left.

Congrats on your new home!