Are chickens really bird brains?

[mountainchick5]

I was wondering if a predator were to enter the yard where my chickens are, would the chickens try and run away and squak, or would they just mill around like usual? Our 2 cats and dog come in and out of the yard, and they're used to them being friendly, so would they think another cat (say mountain lion) or dog would not be threatening? Do they sense danger? And does it make a difference if it's day or night?

 

[Mahonri]

Unfortunately, the majority are bird brains and easy prey.

Lock up the birds that you want to keep around.

 

[mountainchick5]

They're locked up at night and fenced in during the day. I try and do my best to protect them, but I'm just not sure what they would do if a predator did visit, and if I'd hear anything. I didn't know if they have any instinct to squak or run. Fight or Flight, or possibly see if the pred. has treats.

 

[baltimoreharps]

If it's not at night, our lead hen is amazing at alerting the rest of the flock to a threat. We don't have a roo, and she's REALLY taking her job seriously!
We had a loose dog come in the yard today, first time we've EVER had a dog in the yard, and she saw it a long way off and sounded the alert call. She also alerts for our cat who is more afraid of the chickens than the lead hen of her,

so they give each other a VERY wide berth unless I'm out there and the cat came come running to me for help!

The dog decided it was in his best intrest to leave and I found out who the owner was a few hours later. They've been warned and if said dog shows up tomorrow, animal control will be out here, asap.It won't be an issue, I've been told. We'll see.
I'm not letting my flock out tomorrow.

Now, at night, it's a different story, but even then she still alerts if something's REALLY wrong. She has 6 week old chicks with her and the other hen, so the hormones are still working for her. They definately sense danger.

I lock my girls in at night just to be sure they're safe.

 

[Sitka]

They are alert to things they are not used to, so they may not worry about your dog but a strange dog or coyote might be cause for alarm for them.

 

[baltimoreharps]

Quote:
Very true! Dh tried to make a roost for the chicks and every single one freaked out and wouldn't come near it for over 30 minutes.Every one ran to the opposite side of the tractor and eyeballed the evil, strange white stick.

Ok, so they can be bird brains....

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I have one hen whose job seems to be security officer. She is the one who sounds the alarm when anything threatens them. They seem to tune in when the jays sound an alarm too. That same hen is the one who chases anything strange in the yard. The fawns are scared of her. The cats won't come in the yard. Not sure if they would take cover if any real threat came along, though. They do notice it, but are pretty helpless after all.

 

[Judy]

They do seem to sound an alarm and run for cover for airborne prey, at least around here. I can wave my arm over the roost of my younger flock and they will all run.

I lost a lot of my free range flock to foxes last year. The losses stopped about 8 months ago. I really think the remaining ones wised up.

 

[Swamp Roo]

Depends on the bird. I've got a few "smart" chickens, and I,ve got some REALLY dumb ones. I had my Cornish X get lost in an open dog crate for an hour!

To answer your question whether or not your birds would run from other cats and dogs, I expect it depend on how the dog/cat is acting. If they they com along with a "wow, what the heck is that?" posture (curios). They birds may not react much. But we have all seen the posture of an animal turn from "normal" to predatory instantly, you can almost feel it from across the way without even knowing they are there. Guess it's our inner chicken screaming at us!

Swamp

 

[horsejody]

Last night my neighbor came over with her Burnese Mountain Dog and Lab (both on leashes). My buff Cochin stood there in front of them putting up quite a protest. She looked like a fat bottomed old woman wearing a baggy house dress and big bloomers standing there yelling at the neighborhood kids to get off her lawn. All she needed was curlers in her hair and a garden hose to complete the picture. I had a Silkie once that ran right up to my dog and stuck his head in the dog's mouth. Thankfully, Leo is good with the birds and nobody was injured.