Rooster and hen in love.

[SirTeletoll]

So I have a 7 years old rooster who's been getting weaker and has a harder time getting around. I also have a 6 years old hen who has been with my rooster for at least 5 years and always liked to stay close to my rooster. I used to have a flock of 6 hens(including this one) and my rooster and even back then I noticed that this hen just didn't want to leave his side and sort of became panicked when she didn't see the rooster. Now that he is so old I noticed that she is taking care of him in a weirdly human way. When he goes to eat, she goes with him and doesn't really eat alone. When he goes to drink she will accompany him, and even if she is not thirsty she will stand there peck the water off his neck feathers. They always sit together and sleep together too. I have another hen left from the flock, so it's just the 3 of them now, but the other hen is not interested in him at all. I knew chickens can be very affectionate towards their owners, but never knew they can be so loving to each other too. Anybody had any similar experiences? What should I do when the rooster will pass? I'm afraid my poor hen will be lonely and she is a bit on the grumpy side, so she doesn't take to new hens.

 

[Birdie mom]

First off, that is adorable.

But I'm not sure how she will respond to him passing away. She could grieve his loss, totally forget about him, and anything in between.

 

[Anime2lover]

Love their relationship. I can't say how either of them will react if the other passes.

 

[KipselLife]

Ive got a Sebright couple who stick together 24/7, sleep next to each other,panic if they dont see the other one..he even beat a buzzard bloody who tried to take her with him!
I got a few other chickens who are glued to each other (hen+hen also),i see lots of affectionate behavior in the flock Maybe try introducing a calm new rooster when this one passes?Which i hope isnt soon, what a cute couple!Ive seen chickens be upset when their friend passes,I hope she wont take it too hard..

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Its very possible she will call when he passes if he isn't by her side when it happens. But her and the remaining hen will likely be fine together. It's possible that the pair is why the other hen isn't with them, if they have a closer bond they may not tolerate her being nearby