Flock freeze

[Judiv]

My husband noticed some strange behavior tonight not long before our 6 chicks (8 weeks old) went to roost. They were randomly roaming the yard, when they all suddenly froze in their tracks for nearly a full minute. They were somewhat scattered and not looking at the sky as they've done before when spotting a hawk. Just frozen in their tracks. We're in the middle of a neighborhood, so no unusual wildlife nearby. When they finally moved again they ran to the corner of the garage to huddle under a bench. Any clues to offer this newbie to chicken keeping?

 

[WallyBirdie]

Predator? Sounds like something scared them. Do you live in an area where raccoons, opossum, skunks, foxes, coyotes, etc might be present at night?
Could be anything but something made your flock wary.

Good luck!

 

[DobieLover]

My husband noticed some strange behavior tonight not long before our 6 chicks (8 weeks old) went to roost. They were randomly roaming the yard, when they all suddenly froze in their tracks for nearly a full minute. They were somewhat scattered and not looking at the sky as they've done before when spotting a hawk. Just frozen in their tracks. We're in the middle of a neighborhood, so no unusual wildlife nearby. When they finally moved again they ran to the corner of the garage to huddle under a bench. Any clues to offer this newbie to chicken keeping?

Welcome to BYC!
They saw or heard something that spooked them and made them freeze. You just didn't see or hear it.

 

[Judiv]

Thank you, that makes sense. Hubby said he didn't see it hear anything unusual, but apparently they did! We're in a neighborhood with plenty of dog owners nearby, swamp isn't far so skunk or raccoon could possibly have snuck in but I've never seen one. Thanks for the comments!

 

[WallyBirdie]

Thank you, that makes sense. Hubby said he didn't see it hear anything unusual, but apparently they did! We're in a neighborhood with plenty of dog owners nearby, swamp isn't far so skunk or raccoon could possibly have snuck in but I've never seen one. Thanks for the comments!

I'm happy to help. Best wishes for you and your flock!

 

[so lucky]

Could have been a large bird fly over or a strange sound.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Could have been almost anything really. Chickens seem to scare easily. Or at least mine do. They stay huddled in their coop any time I hang clothes on the line. And heaven forbid my phone ring while I'm out with the flock, they go into a near panic.