Chickens informing us there is a predator in the area

[TexasChickenDance]

Our 6 hens never stray far from their protective zone of the coop and barns. They head for cover any time they see a large bird flying overhead. Today, they ventured to the house that is over 100 yds away. We were stumped so took them back over to the barn only to have them follow us back to the house. My husband went back over to see if they needed food/water and looked for eggs in the coop and barn. In one of the barn nest boxes sat a varmint. He called me over and asked is that a cat? I said no and go get your .22. He shot it and dragged it out of the box with a pitch fork. It was a ring tailed cat (part of the raccoon family). Our chickens were letting us know that there was a predator in their area. Has this ever happened to anyone else?

 

[mediazeal]

Smart chickens!
glad they got you to figure it out in time

 

[dawg53]

My rooster was using his beak/mouth to try and pull open the gate to his pen where he and his 2 hens stay and was bocking loudly also. I couldnt figure out why he was doing it, like a con trying to break out of jail. When I walked over to check it out, I saw a chicken snake in the neighbors yard heading toward the coop. The rooster certainly knew how to get my attention and the snake was quickly killed with the shovel. I let him and the hens out in the yard and gave them treats. Good roo,he's a keeper!

 

[TeaKettleK]

I thought there was one of those Canadian geese in the backyard. Turns out it was a handful of my chicks, being super loud right AT the sliding glass door. I figured they were just teasing the cat... Only they didn't quit it.

Yeah, there was a stray cat sitting under a chair at the door of the coop. I chased it off and gave the girls treats.

They are SMART cookies.