Behavior?

[duffkindt]

All my chickens (ten) in the run stopped moving at the same time and stood stock still for over a minute. All but one looking in the same direction even the one looking elsewhere was stock still. I just wondered what happened.
We have had chickens for 3 plus years and I have neve witnessed this behavior.
Thanks!

 

[Jenbirdee]

hello and welcome. Wow that's amazing. I wonder if they can hear sounds that we can't. Or perhaps they can feel earth's vibrations that are so slight we hoomans dont feel them?
are they all fine otherwise??

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Sounds like maybe a sky predator or maybe a ground varmint had them all paying attention. Chickens are very tuned into their environment.

Welcome to our community!

 

[Blue Raptor]

All my chickens (ten) in the run stopped moving at the same time and stood stock still for over a minute. All but one looking in the same direction even the one looking elsewhere was stock still. I just wondered what happened.
We have had chickens for 3 plus years and I have neve witnessed this behavior.
Thanks!

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. The behavior you describe is generally in result to the presence of a predator. It can be triggered by sight or sound.

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome Back to BYC. Glad to have you here with us in this poultry lovers community.

 

[duffkindt]

hello and welcome. Wow that's amazing. I wonder if they can hear sounds that we can't. Or perhaps they can feel earth's vibrations that are so slight we hoomans dont feel them?
are they all fine otherwise??

Thanks for the reply. They finally just went about their business whatever that might be like nothing ever happened. We live out in the country so one never knows. I'm rather hard of hearing so don't know. Very strange. Hope to find out. It surely has happened to someone before. Have a good evening.

 

[Nomadicus]

Thanks for the reply. They finally just went about their business whatever that might be like nothing ever happened. We live out in the country so one never knows. I'm rather hard of hearing so don't know. Very strange. Hope to find out. It surely has happened to someone before. Have a good evening.

I've seen some of mine in a group stop for a few seconds when a hawk would scream and then go on about there business inside of a very large walking coop. They will do the same if a rooster alerts them to danger he detects.

 

[duffkindt]

I've seen some of mine in a group stop for a few seconds when a hawk would scream and then go on about there business inside of a very large walking coop. They will do the same if a rooster alerts them to danger he detects.

A real possibility around here. I can usually hear a hawk. Actually we had a fairly large pullet killed last year in our run but it couldn't take off with it because the run was partially roofed with chicken wire.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC.