interesting question! I know that out here, when we have them (night or day) they startle our parrot and cockatiel right off of their perches. But then the last two we had were over 7's and would have startled Tarzan from a wider branch. I've been outside before when some hit, and it's weird, birds will suddenly be all over the air, none in trees or the ground. Then my dogs go nuts. Turn highly protective and fearful at the same time. The one we had a year ago on Easter, just before it hit, my German shepherd dove under the dining room table. The dining room is right below the upstairs area, and I felt queazy, light headed, off balance. Noticed then that the free hanging wire shelf above the butcher block island was rocking and all the stuff that was hanging below it was shuddering and dancing. The bigger walls were making some very scary noises and physically moving. Used to this, I (on the outside) grabbed the kids to put them under the table, and had to push the dog aside. The other dog, a black lab insisting on standing guard on everyone, not understanding what was going on, she'd back up until her tail was touching each person and stand at high alert. Inconvinent if you're trying to direct bodies. Sure seemed like that one went on forever. It did do damage and had to repair walls, shore up part of the balcony, restucco places and fix the ceiling, oddly not the older section of the house. Go figure. But it wasn't nearly as bad as the one in '92 which knocked down my fence, dumped everything in the rafters in the garage, and snapped some pretty big branches on all the fruit trees. Lost power on that one, since it hit around 4 AM, just a reminder that you all should have emergency supplies and batteries on hand and easily reachable. AND a pair of easy to slip on shoes by your beds AND make sure that children's beds arent by windows, AND anchor heavy rockable things down, including hot water heaters. I also keep tools handy, extra wrench by the turn off/on valve for the gas, and just because I have a bad habit of waiting until my car is on empty or near, every time my gas level hits half way, I fill it up. AND keep a phone charger in the car. AND make sure I can the car out of the garage if there is no power. That was a problem before, along with the fact that everything fell. (be careful how you store stuff in there). Have extra medication available just in case, all personal information including insurance stuff on jump drives and ONE out of state contact person whom you can call and verify where and how you are doing. If phone lines are jammed, this will be important. AND practice for emergencies, who gets what, don't forget extra practical shoes. I waited till the camping stuff, emergency blankets and dry food went on sale and everything but water and animal food is packed in one roll away. A small tent and sleeping bags is right where we can grab them at the front of the garage,as is the camper stove and matches, and we keep a supply of cash (in case ATMs aren't working) on hand. Don't forget the pet food, and sturdy leashes. We keep flashlights in every room, but we've also gleamed from the solar lights when loosing power during storms. Comes in handy, just stick them in glasses or vases or planters. You can pick them up pretty cheap at Wal Mart, and just leave them outside to charge up. If you have to pick anything to take too much of, make it water. Dehydration is serious. Don't forget the practical meds, stuff for diareaha, headaches, fevers, cramps. I made up personal hygene plastic bags for everyone including antibacterial wipes/gells, toothbrushes, etc.
Oh, and if you have an out of state contact, and everyone uses that person, makes it much easier to keep track until you can make direct contact. Sounds a bit daunting, but it sure beats stressing and not having it if needed. You can always recycle if stuff is close to code and restock.
I haven't had chickens when we have earthquakes though.
Once when we had one, the local big cemetary shook the life sized David from his marble stand at the front of the facility. He broke loose and had a change of gender until repaired.
