Always heed the warning call

[sheaviance1]

I just wanted to pop in here and tell you guys what happened yesterday, and what my chicken did to let me know about it.

LATE yesterday evening, when it was time to roost for the night, one of my ladies was singing the "egg song" for all she was worth, except, it was louder, with a much faster tempo and a few more bok bok's thrown in for good measure. I could tell something was wrong.

I went to the coop, and didn't see anything, so I grabbed down the raisins, and the hen who was "singing" wouldn't take any.....okay.....something is definitely wrong here. She is pacing on the roost, screaming this bok bok bok bok bok bok bok ba-gok over and over again. I'm thinking, there must be a snake or something in here that I cannot see. I started peeking in the nest boxes one by one, and she comes up behind me, when i go to peek in one, and pecks me on the hand. I don't know for sure if she was telling me to be careful or what. Sure enough, there was a 3 foot rat snake in the box. I assume he was so full of eggs that he was a little lethargic as he didn't even flinch when we reached in and grabbed him out. I put him in an empty feed bag and relocated him.

I thought it was so cool the way that they let me know something was afoot, er...abelly, in the coop. She has never pecked me before, so I have to assume that it was part of her warning.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I'm glad you recognized her "snake song" and got that thing out. Good job at listening to your chcikens!

 

[ranchhand]

Unfortunately, I am very familiar with the racket. We relocated a dozen or so last year, two so far this year and still have many more!

Even when inside my ears are tuned to egg songs and alarm calls. Another thing I listen for is any wild bird disturbance alarms- a couple of weeks ago I had a chickadee and a cardinal going nuts at the corner of the front porch. Went for a look and there were two good sized rat snakes in the tree at the edge of the porch.

Bluejays are great watchbirds, when I hear them I go running!

Good job on paying attention! And what a smart hen, more raisins for her!

 

[duckinnut]

They are amazing creatures to say the least! You get to learn there routine and they get to know yours and you know when things are eskew. A couple of weeks ago my rooster,as a pain in the butt he can be, was just crowing non-stop. I'm talking 20 minutes,finally said to my som go see what his problem is. My son comes back out of breath to report there are 25 wild turkeys milling about across the road. He was letting everybody know,not that they are a threat but as to say this my turf. He also lets you know when the is a strange car in the driveway. Maybe he is smarter than I give him credit for.

 

[stilldeb]

My chickens were all outside the other day and at one sound from my rooster, every single one of them immediately disappeared inside my two coops. Harry stayed outside, on guard. Looked up and there it was, a redtail hawk circling overhead, being pursued by a bunch of tiny little birds that also did not want it around. I think chickens are amazing creatures.

deb g

 

[duckinnut]

Quote:
I know what your saying about wild birds,when you hear cardinals, bluejays,sparrows or et.al making a fuss you look up there chasing a crow. When you hear crows making a ruckus they are chasing a hawk. I guess thats why birds been around longer than we have and will be when we are gone.

 

[JodyJo]

very cool stories...thanks for sharing everyone...I am pretty new, but I did notice the other night, (and this is nothing as cool as the snake story) I fed my girls, shut the coop door, they were so loud, with their throaty clucks, that I opened the door back up, they all streamed back out to the run...I leave it open at night now, they prefer it...funny how they talk to you....you just have to know how to listen!

 

[kimntep]

And people say chickens are dumb. Great stories!

 

[sheaviance1]

I don't have a rooster, so I have to depend on the boss hen. A few weeks ago, everyone, and i mean everyone, was sounding off. It turned out to be a feral cat that was stalking them. Unfortunately, she has two kittens in our shed, so relocating her has been tough. We have caught and tamed one of the kittens. He is an inside kitten now. I am not a cat person, but my little boy is, and always has been. He is taking very good care of this kitten. It is growing on me too.

What I thought was so amazing about the snake was the warning peck she gave when I got too close to danger. That was very cool!

 

[jenkassai]

Wow, what awesome stories

I am one of those people who has been fascinated by animals since I was young, and ALWAYS have thought animals in general are much smarter than humans give them credit for! My dogs never cease to amaze me with their different personalities, and their ability to communicate with each other and with me. Looks like I have that to look forward to with my chicks as well