Can chickens recognize different predators?

[SarahGfa]

My flock gives the predator alarm call for: tom turkeys, hawks sitting in tree.

Growls at: crows, hawks flying overhead.

Ignores: vultures, hen turkeys.

They have never been attacked by any of the above, that I know of. Are they instinctively afraid of predator animals, or is it possible they got unsuccessfully attacked and I didn't see it?

 

[Ms Clucky]

Mine cackle at hawks and run inside and they chase off little birds and rabbits.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Yes they have different behaviors for different threats...some of it they learn, some of it they are born with ...

...there was a study that raised chicks indoors and then used a hawk shape cutout overhead ... and the chickens reacted as any other chickens even though they’d never seen a hawk... then a different shape was used and the did not react... kind of interesting

 

[aart]

Some ran for cover, some just stood and watched after this fox bounced off the run wall.

 

[Alexandra33]

Pretty sure most are intelligent enough to determine immediate threats.

Mine react negatively to: Hawks of all types, raccoons, and dogs.
No attention is paid to: Vultures, eagles, cats, opossums, skunks, and crows. (though many of these shouldn't be considered predators)

That said, my birds are unusually brave. Last summer, several confronted a distemper-infected skunk head on.

~Alex

 

[llombardo]

Not my picture but was on Facebook. I still look at it in disbelief. Look closely. I believe there are also two roosters present

 

[centrarchid]

Not my picture but was on Facebook. I still look at it in disbelief. Look closely. I believe there are also two roosters present

View attachment 1712738

During the day, raccoons are not much of a threat to adult free-range chickens. Chickens with experience likely know it. As a kid I had pet free-range raccoons and chickens. The raccoons were only an issue with penned birds, chicks / eggs, and confined birds. I could not allow the raccoons into hen house or areas with broody hens. I also had to take steps to make so the raccoons could not climb up to where chickens were roosting.

 

[WthrLady]

I think they do. Mine ignore the great northern harriers, and other birds and low fixed wing aircraft (we live on a military approach and airport). They growl at motorcycles driving by and swallows, and all raptors get an alarm call.

Helicopters.....well, they come totally unglued. and I have YET to see a chinook swoop down and snatch a hen.

 

[SarahGfa]

...there was a study that raised chicks indoors and then used a hawk shape cutout overhead ... and the chickens reacted as any other chickens even though they’d never seen a hawk... then a different shape was used and the did not react... kind of interesting

Amazing... I cannot always recognize a hawk shape overhead, but my chickens can!