Let me start to tell what I experienced with my flock of 7 after my bossy lavender Dutch disappeared. At first I didn’t know what happened and I wondered if she would return. But she didn’t.
The first 2 weeks the flock was quit timid. They were not so anxious to go outside to free range. Especially my Dutch just as well stayed in the run. And were hiding often in the under a bench in the run. So I thought it was probably some kind of predator that took my lavender Dutch.
Buzzard
After seeing a buzzard it was quit clear that my lavender Dutch must have been taken by this bird of prey. This lady was the boss of the flock ever since I had chickens and there was no rooster to take that role.
The second in command (partridge coloured Dutch Ini mini) took over her place to rule the flock. But she is more friendly and one of my black Dutch took over the command role more and more.
Separated by own choice
All this didn’t surprise me but what I found really strange is that my Dutch and my naine de Tournaisis don’t sleep in the same ‘room’ anymore.
Before Pino disappeared there was one Tournaisis (Grafie) that often slept in the old small coop. Probably to avoid the quarrelling at sunset over the best place on the roost.
Sometimes Grafie had company from my youngest (Tournaisis mix) called Janice. But now the Tournaisis all sleep in the small coop and the Dutch all sleep in the second coop.
The second coop is a more spacious extension with 2 roosts for max 10 small bantams.
I don’t think this new sleeping behaviour wil change again because they sleep separated for quit some time now. I don’t have any problems with it. But its makes me curious if one of you experienced changes in behaviour too , after the boss of the flock died.
The first 2 weeks the flock was quit timid. They were not so anxious to go outside to free range. Especially my Dutch just as well stayed in the run. And were hiding often in the under a bench in the run. So I thought it was probably some kind of predator that took my lavender Dutch.
Buzzard
After seeing a buzzard it was quit clear that my lavender Dutch must have been taken by this bird of prey. This lady was the boss of the flock ever since I had chickens and there was no rooster to take that role.
The second in command (partridge coloured Dutch Ini mini) took over her place to rule the flock. But she is more friendly and one of my black Dutch took over the command role more and more.
Separated by own choice
All this didn’t surprise me but what I found really strange is that my Dutch and my naine de Tournaisis don’t sleep in the same ‘room’ anymore.
Before Pino disappeared there was one Tournaisis (Grafie) that often slept in the old small coop. Probably to avoid the quarrelling at sunset over the best place on the roost.
Sometimes Grafie had company from my youngest (Tournaisis mix) called Janice. But now the Tournaisis all sleep in the small coop and the Dutch all sleep in the second coop.
The second coop is a more spacious extension with 2 roosts for max 10 small bantams.
I don’t think this new sleeping behaviour wil change again because they sleep separated for quit some time now. I don’t have any problems with it. But its makes me curious if one of you experienced changes in behaviour too , after the boss of the flock died.