My Roo died, My hens in Mourning?

[BadPammie]

The best I can figure is that he fell asleep too far away from the heat lamp. We found him in one of the laying boxes just dead the other morning. Anyhow, my hens have all but quit laying, I guess cuz they miss Henry. Is this normal and how and when should I introduce a new roo?

 

[cook_kaka_ook]

Sorry to hear your loss. How old was Henry?

 

[sred98]

They could definitely be in mourning. I had a flock of 12 hens and a roo that I got from someone, and added to my existing flock. All "his" girls stayed with him, even though my 2 other roos were trying their hardest to woo them away. One morning, I found him drowned in the horse trough!

He was an awesome roo and his girls adored him. They mourned for over a week, and then gradually split apart into groups with my other roos. A few never chose a roo, and stick to themselves.

Are they still in mourning? No idea. Maybe they just don't like my roos, maybe they still miss Mister. There's no way to know. I do know that they were really lost for several days without someone to show them where all the good treats were and where to take their dust baths. They followed me for a while, then decided I wasn't quite the rooster for them! LOL!

I'd go ahead and add one and see if they take to him.

Sorry for your loss! I've always heard to have at least 2 roos, so you have a back-up in case something like this happens. You can't always do that, but it worked for me.

Shelly

 

[BadPammie]

He was a Spring Rooster, born last April....he was a Cuckoo Marin and quite the character.....I have a picture painted of him guarding his hens on the HenHouse. As soon as it warms up I am going to go out and paint on his dates....

 

[BadPammie]

Thanks Shelly, that explains a lot. I have already got a line on a new roo....thanks...
pammie

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