Was he protecting them?

[chickaboo7]

Will a roo protect his flock. The other day I was working inside my babes were roaming out front like they do every day. I herd a loud noise I ran outside. There was a large bird not sure what kind and he had my best buddy King Henry on the ground. All the other chicks were hiding very close under a chair. I ran out screaming and it flew away. Poor KH didn't survive. Could he have been protecting his ladies? Why is it when you find a chick that goes deep into your heart you never really get over his loss. He was the first one to jump in my lap in the morning and when I would come home I would say KH where are you and he would crow to let me know where the flock was. I still tear up when I think of him. His best girl Lady Anne seems so sad. She is not staying with the flock just hanging around the house. Do chickens grieve the way we do? I think think they do.

 

[rooster-red]

Yes, he was doing a roosters duty, protecting the flock and giving them a chance to get away.

R.I.P. King Henry.

 

[joanc]

So sorry for your loss. I believe any animal can grieve, some just do it more obviously than others.
I know when my rooster starts to do his "bok bokking" that the rest of the flock pays attention. If it gets to a higher, louder pitch, they go running for shelter, either in the bushes or in the coop.
I know I would miss any of my chickens terribly if something like that happened to them.
Take care.

 

[peeps7]

I think they do grieve.............................We had a hen named #7 and "her" rooster Empire.
We tried to "give" #7 to another rooster but she would run and fly like crazy to get away from the other rooster and get back to Empire. She loved him and he loved her, it was on when another rooster came by. But after #7 died Empire seemed to just walk around looking for her.

 

[silkiechicken]

I think they grieve, my little roo peeppeep walked around all day looking for his flock when they got killed by a coon. He slept inside... and was alone looking for a few months. I got him some girls and then one fateful night, a coon got him and he was able to go back to his first flock. The rest of the new girls were fine though. Just peep peep was gone. I think he had always missed his old flock and gave his live for his new one.

 

[robin416]

I do have a suggestion though. Keep them locked up for a bit, this is where a covered pen is a big plus. It sounds like you have a predator bird and now that it sees an easy meal will keep coming back for more.

I have a friend that actually had a hawk that flew in to her coop, killed a bird and began to eat it while still in the coop. That's when lock down began to protect the rest of her flock.

 

[SpottedCrow]

They most certainly do...
Sorry about your roo...he sounds like he was a gem.

 

[Hotwings]

I am sorry for your loss and yes I am very sure the rooster was probably protecting his flock. Some roosters are very protective and some are downright cowards. Sometimes a hen can take on the protective role if there isn't a rooster.