Sitting out here listening to my head chicken growling and watching my drakes on guard at the ready. I have no idea what it is they can see, had a search around and found nothing, although I'm pretty sure whatever it is, is aerial I really can't see anything about but can hear some crows and seagulls squawking in the distance so wondering if they are reacting to sound rather than sight.
Whatever it is which put them on guard must be gone as all are relaxed again and continuing with their foraging. Just amazed at the ability these birds have to see and hear beyond what we can and also how they know the difference between a potential threat and what is not, even if not in their eye view. They've never seen a dog but can hear neighbours dogs, and right from a young age have instinctively known these are a potential danger, now they are used to hearing them, they no longer get spooked but they still keep a watchhful eye just in case.
My birds squabble amongst themselves as all flocks do and readjust the pecking orders whenever a lower ranking gets the chance to topple a higher ranking. I have two lower ranking chickens who often pick on the ducks to keep them in their place and all bar my head hen go through stages of picking on the lowest ranking chicken of all, but the moment there is even a sniff of a potential danger they immediately band together, the drakes and the warriors of the chickens protecting the others and themselves and all working together to eradicate whatever threat there maybe. Then when all is clear and safe again they go right back to squabbling and challenging each other as usual, until next time there's a potential threat. Amazing birds doing amazing things
