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1906 said:
Thank you everyone. There is actually something I was wondering about. Do chickens mourn the loss of their flockmates? Since the second cockerel is gone, it seems to me the hens are looking for him and calling him, especially when I give them treats. They start to eat, then they stop and run around the coop and runs, calling and looking, even going into the coop where they roost, calling, listening and looking. After awhile they come back to eat, but are not as happy as the used to be, not chatting happily away while enjoying their treat. Also in the mornings when they come down from their roosting place, they keep going back, calling and looking as well as at night when they want to roost. They sort of waiting for him, putting off to go into the coop. Eventually they go into the coop, but at least an hour later than they used to. Did I make a mistake to get rid of the cockerel? Will they settle in time and be happy again? They were such a happy bunch!
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Your hens will settle in just fine. Actually in my experience, hens usually fare better without a rooster around. Roosters are often very hard physically on hens (especially as they mature and especially if there are too many roosters); over-breeding the hens, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and even potentially, seriously injuring them. Even with the gentler roosters, hens are usually less stressed and often lay better without a rooster around. I currently have 25 hens and no roosters and I get loads of eggs without all the aggression, fights, biting and plucking of feathers, crowing in the middle of the night, over-breeding and battering that goes along with having roosters. My hens are stress free and enjoying life without a rooster around. The removal of your cockerel is an immediate environmental change which chickens do not like, but rest assured, your hens will adjust and will likely be the better off for it.
 
Thank you so much! That certainly sets my mind at ease. I have read that it is not recommended to have only 4 hens per 1 rooster, (apart from the fact that I am not allowed to have a rooster in my backyard) but my hens's reaction to the absence of the cockerel has upset me so much. Thanks again.
 
1906 said:
Thank you so much! That certainly sets my mind at ease. I have read that it is not recommended to have only 4 hens per 1 rooster, (apart from the fact that I am not allowed to have a rooster in my backyard) but my hens's reaction to the absence of the cockerel has upset me so much. Thanks again.
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You're welcome; and you are correct. The recommended ratio of roosters per hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. The only reason you really need a rooster is to fertilize eggs for hatching, and 1 rooster can easily handle 10 hens in that regard.
 
Welcome to BYC
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They probably do miss the cockerels, but I found chickens are adaptable and they will get used to the change soon enough.
 
Thank you, you are right. They were less stressed this evening when they went to roost and I feel much better too.
 
Thank you everyone for welcoming me, I appreciate it very much!
 

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