I was out with my 2.5 wk olds today and a couple hawks were above (we were in a coop no worries) and all of a sudden a chick gave out a wild siren like chirp and they all huddled together, once the hawks we're gone they relaxed and continued eating, a while later a butterfly flew overhead ( a big one, they're scary) and they did it again. Well I decided to try imitating this chirp and it worked, they all ran and hid (one actually laid down), I'm guessing its some kind of chick-alarm system? Anyone else's birds do this? bigrey
Yup. Instincts are very cool things when you're a prey animal... My chicks did it early, and then a blue jay started making the hawk screech just to mess with them. Now, after a year, they ignore the jay but can tell when a real hawk cries. And they also hide if the crows do a "chasing the hawks" cry!
Yes! If you watch them they are quite entertaining. There is usually a look out and their job is to look for danger. Usually it is a roo that will call the danger signal. When a rooster gets older they also do this "growly", whistling thing too. They have their own language. Moms call their chicks and roosters call the girls when they find something especially good to eat.
My Cochin roo does the growly thing right before he tries to attack my toes. I had to laugh at him today when I went to put them up for the night...He was trying every angle to get at my toes. Even acted like he was going to eat out of my hand...Good thing I was faster.