Will my pullet mourn?

[U_Stormcrow]

I was reading posts about chickens that mourned the loss of a flock mate and they sometimes never recovered. I know not all animals have the same level of emotions as humans but they definitely understand more then we give them credit for.

I've read posts claiming a chicken changed its sex. Being published on the internet doesn't make it true.

My dinosaurs aren't stupid, but sorrow and remorse do not appear to be part of their emotional lexicon. From an evolutionary standpoint, that's likely to their benefit. Even when I seperate chicks at 8 weeks +/- from the grow out pen and integrate them into the main flock, they only hang out at the fence between the grow out run and the free range pasture for a day or two - and that seems more an effort at finding safety than any sorrow for their now separated flock mates. Certainly, their prior flock mates don't seem to care.

No, we'll never "know", but I'm confident in their predicted behaviors after much observation, and they don't behave like they are mourning. ...Which is all that matters to me.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

I think you are doing everything right and yes a shy cockerel could be the calm with people and great protector. He had a big bossy guy there probably whacking him around if he got the idea to mess with his girls or he hasn't hit that how you doing ladies mood yet. I think it's pretty great you have a few more males to watch and pick from as your breeder. You're doing right by getting rid of any human aggressive ones especially to your children. It's one thing if the child was doing something like chasing them around incessantly but he crossed the line and you did the best option. I always root for that mellow guy just staying mellow. A lot of times the kicked around bottom pecking order males you know root for the underdog.

 

[Sally PB]

Yes absolutely. He doesn’t have any children and a bunch of Pullets. We will absolutely make sure he knows what happened too just so he can be aware.

Thank you.

 

[Chickassan]

They'll be fine, in fact they'll be more than fine.
Even if you have spectacular males with impeccable manners they'll still only be out of sorts a day or two if the males disappear.
They're a move forward type of creature, everything is in motion always.

 

[aart]

The 'shy' cockerels may well change their tune when the other more dominant males are gone.

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

Well we have rehomed 2 cockerels leaving us with just 2.
I notified the new owner that the one has tried flogging our daughter and he let me know his kids are not allowed in the pen with the chickens.
A new lead has already taken up courting around the pullet who was being strongly cared for so I’m hoping he does good in his new role with the ladies.
He just doesn’t dance for them and pounces on them but he hasn’t had a chance to dance given he’s been having to battle (not really) 2 others for the rights. I just hope my flock stays safe without the main alerter.

 

[esme13]

Well we have rehomed 2 cockerels leaving us with just 2.
I notified the new owner that the one has tried flogging our daughter and he let me know his kids are not allowed in the pen with the chickens.
A new lead has already taken up courting around the pullet who was being strongly cared for so I’m hoping he does good in his new role with the ladies.
He just doesn’t dance for them and pounces on them but he hasn’t had a chance to dance given he’s been having to battle (not really) 2 others for the rights. I just hope my flock stays safe without the main alerter.

bringing the numbers down on cockerels , is in some cases better for the hens. Boys can be overwhelming to the girls. I will say, that the cockerels still have a ways for maturity and it can take a full year to see if those hormones will show aggression to humans. Hoping your under dog is a winner!! If not so many other wonderful cockerels out there , it just might take a few to find the “right one”. What breeds are the cockerels ?

 

[HeathenHavenHomestead]

bringing the numbers down on cockerels , is in some cases better for the hens. Boys can be overwhelming to the girls. I will say, that the cockerels still have a ways for maturity and it can take a full year to see if those hormones will show aggression to humans. Hoping your under dog is a winner!! If not so many other wonderful cockerels out there , it just might take a few to find the “right one”. What breeds are the cockerels ?

The two remaining are both Sapphire Gems.
It was very quiet after the 2 cockerels were rehomed.
I know my main pullet that was pretty bonded with one kinda hid away the rest of the day. They all got in the coop earlier then usual also.
however some of my younger pullets enjoyed having a new place to perch next to the older ones since the cockrel wasn’t taking up that space.

 

[jgarner1327]

Aww I'm sorry you're having a hard time. It sounds like he is great for the hens but if he's hunting your daughter than it's not a safe situation. The girls will be fine, they may be a bit flighty for a bit as they adjust to the life without him but they'll be themselves sooner than if a person lost someone. He's a mate of convenience for them after all he is simply the one that's there for the ladies now.

I don’t think you really need a rooster, do you?

 

[Steph8208]

My 3 girls didn’t miss him a bit