This evening just after dark dogs and I walked down chicken pens to cover broody hens for the night. As typical dogs pointed out hens so all I had to do was roll pens the top. Process was typical until neighbor began launching fireworks into the sky. With each launch more chickens bailed from roosts, especially the juveniles. Even older adult adults noticeable flinched with each blast. When all was done more than half of hens were hiding down in the grass. Dogs had also evaporated. Even birds roosting in garage were disturbed so response not solely a function of light flashes. Hens incubating eggs where also effected. Dogs were found in house hiding near kids. Juvenile Great -horned Owls also shut up for a while. Now I have to get dogs back on mission quicker than predators can get back into theirs. The sounds at least appear to cause outright discomfort. I would like to discuss this issue with neighbors but suspect they will not have great concern for the animals they impact. They have chickens as well. I may try to get them to observe their own birds when they launch first rounds tomorrow night.
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