Chickens scared all of a sudden

[Ann1986]

Hey everyone!

I have had 2 chickens almost 1 year, and they have been very comfortable around me following me everywhere in their garden and scratching the earth next to my feet, not scared at all!
They lay an egg a day each and still do.
But something changed since yesterday. My brother went to their garden and then ran away scared, I came and they werent so scared but this morning I went and especially 1 of the chickens ran away to the back very fast in fear. And they saw me take food for them so they came to me, but carefully, started eating, but being on their guard all the time. So I went to take their eggs and sat with them for a while, they became more comfortable and started to come to me and scratch the dust around me again. But especially 1 of them was still very on her guard.

Any idea what this might be? I think something might have scared them but I dont know what. We do have a dog but they are used to him, and we have neighbours but I doubt they would harm them. At the back of the garden I did find a little hole of about 30 cm diameter under the fence, like something could climb under it, maybe a cat, not a dog. So I closed it and put logs of wood on it to make sure nothing can dig under it again.

 

[redstars]

I notice my girls do not like sudden moves. When I'm in the run or coop I tend to move a little slower than I normally
would. My chickens are a little over a year old and still get freaked out if I move too quickly around them.

 

[Ann1986]

After 2 days the chickens were already completely fine, no fear at all.
Very strange, something must have scared them

 

[Chick CJ]

It sounds like maybe something dug under the ground at the fence line and this could hve put them on their guard. It's good you filled in the hole and covered the spot.
CJ

 

[sourland]

Keep checking the fence. Whatever dug the hole may come back.