Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

They don’t seem to mourn much.

I don't see how one can tell. As an observer one could say the same about humans. It's not like we change colour or take to our beds for a few weeks.
For most people the idea that any creatures apart from humans of course, mourn for friends and family is too uncomfortable to contemplate given how we treat other creatures. I think they mourn, some take the loss of a friend or family harder than others, much like humans do.

Any ideas about looking for another rooster to fill the gap?

If your life long partner died, how would you feel about the government moving in a strange replacement to "fill the gap"?

 

[Perris]

I don't see how one can tell. As an observer one could say the same about humans. It's not like we change colour

we used to, in the sense that there was a recognized dress code: black entire or an armband, for a period or forever (Queen Victoria e.g.)

If your life long partner died, how would you feel about the government moving in a strange replacement to "fill the gap"?

again we used to do something similar: my grandmother lost her first child to childhood leukaemia (still only a toddler) and was advised to have another child asap. She never really bonded with the child that was her eldest as far as the rest of the world was concerned, but her second in fact.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

If your life long partner died, how would you feel about the government moving in a strange replacement to "fill the gap"?

I don't want to sound frivolous about this, because I'm not, but this reminds me of advice read in a parenting book in those long-ago years about announcing to your first child that another was on the way. One of the favorite ways of telling this news was "We love you so much that we wanted to have another child to love."

The author suggested framing this as one partner saying to the other, "I love you so much that I wanted to have another partner to love," and thinking how well that would land...

 

[Shadrach]

we used to, in the sense that there was a recognized dress code: black entire or an armband, for a period or forever (Queen Victoria e.g.)

Yes a few used to wear an armband but for the vast majority of people they just get on with their lives. Maybe a should make black wing bands for the field chickens.
I'll see how many black arm bands I can see on the way to the field later.

again we used to do something similar: my grandmother lost her first child to childhood leukaemia (still only a toddler) and was advised to have another child asap. She never really bonded with the child that was her eldest as far as the rest of the world was concerned, but her second in fact.

You're using exceptions to prove a rule.
Chickens are much the same but they don't need the government to tell them. Hens that lose their chicks sit and hatch again to replace the losses it seems to me.

 

[RoyalChick]

I don't see how one can tell. As an observer one could say the same about humans. It's not like we change colour or take to our beds for a few weeks.
For most people the idea that any creatures apart from humans of course, mourn for friends and family is too uncomfortable to contemplate given how we treat other creatures. I think they mourn, some take the loss of a friend or family harder than others, much like humans do.


If your life long partner died, how would you feel about the government moving in a strange replacement to "fill the gap"?

I believe they mourn a lost friend. I have observed differences in behavior after a death as well as preparation for a death.
When Eli died the Littles did what looked like a farewell visit the night before and her sister came off the roost three times in the night to check on her.
After Bernie died everyone else was very subdued.
Regarding replacement I imagine that as with humans it becomes OK after a time. People do remarry after losing a loved spouse for example. Just not immediately.

Tax: greatly missed Bernie visiting while I have my morning tea.

 

[Shadrach]

I believe they mourn a lost friend. I have observed differences in behavior after a death as well as preparation for a death.
When Eli died the Littles did what looked like a farewell visit the night before and her sister came off the roost three times in the night to check on her.
After Bernie died everyone else was very subdued.
Regarding replacement I imagine that as with humans it becomes OK after a time. People do remarry after losing a loved spouse for example. Just not immediately.

Tax: greatly missed Bernie visiting while I have my morning tea.
View attachment 4094512

In this particular discussion it's important not to confuse dress code with the emotional response of either chickens or people. Sure, people wear black at funerals whether they mourn the loss or not. Some of those wearing black might well be delighted at the death.
Obvoiusly chickens cant change their plumage to suit the occasion but that doesn't mean they're not mourning.

 

[no fly zone]

I would have thought the nest was predated. We have cats and big birds around here who do this.

Where the nest is would be impossible for a cat to reach. Another bird, that is a definite possibility.

 

[fuzzi]

I don't see how one can tell. As an observer one could say the same about humans. It's not like we change colour or take to our beds for a few weeks.
For most people the idea that any creatures apart from humans of course, mourn for friends and family is too uncomfortable to contemplate given how we treat other creatures. I think they mourn, some take the loss of a friend or family harder than others, much like humans do.


If your life long partner died, how would you feel about the government moving in a strange replacement to "fill the gap"?

I want to respond. My life long partner (44 years) passed away in January. I am not interested in another partner at this time, am not looking for one, and would not be pleased with the government, or anyone, playing matchmaker. No thanks.

Everyone, everything handles grief and loss differently. For several weeks after Ron died people were very concerned, kept asking me how I was doing. My response was "I'm doing okay, thanks, just miss him". I suspect Fret and the rest feel about the same.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

I believe they mourn a lost friend. I have observed differences in behavior after a death as well as preparation for a death.
When Eli died the Littles did what looked like a farewell visit the night before and her sister came off the roost three times in the night to check on her.
After Bernie died everyone else was very subdued.
Regarding replacement I imagine that as with humans it becomes OK after a time. People do remarry after losing a loved spouse for example. Just not immediately.

Tax: greatly missed Bernie visiting while I have my morning tea.
View attachment 4094512

Ah, sweet Bernadette! Such a nice photo.

 

[BDutch]

I don't see how one can tell. As an observer one could say the same about humans. It's not like we change colour or take to our beds for a few weeks.
For most people the idea that any creatures apart from humans of course, mourn for friends and family is too uncomfortable to contemplate given how we treat other creatures. I think they mourn, some take the loss of a friend or family harder than others, much like humans do.

My hens were very silent and not active for about a week a few times after a sudden death/disappearance of an established flock member. The disappearance of young flock members didn’t seem to affect them. I just wondered how your hens responded.

If your life long partner died, how would you feel about the government moving in a strange replacement to "fill the gap"?

I don’t mean that Henry is replaceable. Just an idea that it might help to distract the hens and to get the flock a new alarm and protector. It might even distract you if you are open for the idea.

My Whiskey went to someone whose rooster disappeared and the lady was very pleased she could introduce a new handsome boy. She hoped the ladies of the hedge would like him too.

Rooster are not just loved. They are functional too. I would have loved to keep a few of my cockerels, or get myself a rescue bantam rooster if it was an option.

And in some or many things ( ) humans are different from chickens. A rooster in the flock is not a partner for all hens in the flock. Sometimes I read about a love/couple within a flock. But never that the rooster is loved equally by all hens. Tolerating a rooster to mate is not the same as loving one (imho).