Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I loved Verizon's services, but not their prices.

Me also. Too much for what you get

 

[BY Bob]

I can't do any of the calls.

Me neither. That's talented

 

[BY Bob]

I have the watch and monitor call here. They give it for the dogs. It's not exactly an warning, more of a heads up. They give it when they're under a bush somewhere and I approach. I give my ID call when I get close.

Your ID call? Did they assign it to you?

 

[BY Bob]

The quiet call sounds like the warning call, but to be sure one needs to hear it over and over and check for their reaction. It's the repeatability that gives a degree of certainty. It took me months just to be sure of the escort call!
Mum and chick calls were relatively easy if you're following along. The get underneath me call was/is difficult because the hen only sounds it for the first few days out and about. After that, as I've mentioned, she wants them away from her and hidden. The incredible thing is they stay hidden, even when it's obvious mum is moving about with the rest of the tribe. I've had chicks in hiding for over an hour while mum has moved away quite a distance. Barking Bracket is famous for this. I think she forgets she's got chicks. I've watched her start to wander off with the tribe and seemingly suddenly realize that there is something missing. She then hurries back to where she thinks she last had chicks and calls them out. It has to be seen. It's both funny and a bit scary. What if one day she doesn't remember. It looks quite possible once you've watched her.

That is pretty amazing. It must be something to see. I did not see that with Sydney sadly.

 

[Shadrach]

Your ID call? Did they assign it to you?

No.
All the chickens here give what I call an ID call when they approach their tribe. I do the same.
It doesn't matter what the sound is. what does matter is you're consistent in making it.
As I have tried to explain to the people here, coochy coohy hello little chickies, one day and cluck cluck cluck come and get some foodies chicks, doesn't hack it. And they wonder why they can't train their dogs.

 

[Ribh]

Here it doesn't make any difference if I arrive during a general alarm call. It can take many minutes for them to calm down if they've been badly spooked.

You have roosters & a very different relationship with the tribes. I think those of us who say the hens stop alarming when we arrive have all hen flocks & I expect that makes a difference? But as I said I have little experience with this. The *watch & monitor* is a far more common call than the full on alert which I think I've only really heard once ~ for a large monitor lizard. Even when I had a hawk land in one of the trees in the run there was no alarm given. I'm the one who alarmed & got everyone to safety!

 

[RoyalChick]

No.
All the chickens here give what I call an ID call when they approach their tribe. I do the same.
It doesn't matter what the sound is. what does matter is you're consistent in making it.
As I have tried to explain to the people here, coochy coohy hello little chickies, one day and cluck cluck cluck come and get some foodies chicks, doesn't hack it. And they wonder why they can't train their dogs.

Funny!
For some reason I always shout CHICKENS! when I approach. I always feel a bit foolish as it is self-evident to them and me that they are, indeed, chickens. But somehow it stuck and even if I shout CHICKENS! from quite a way away they all come running or flying. Today Maggie was so excited even she flew!

 

[BY Bob]

Nope, not the alarm call. That may the warning call but it is difficult to tell.
The warning call is quiet. It's only meant to be heard by the hens. It's one of the reasons the hens stay withing hearing distance to their rooster rather than within sight.
The general alarm comes after the warning call. It's when they all start shouting, usually after they gone for cover.
Warning call; quiet only for tribe members.
Alarm call: everyone starts shouting.

Got it! Thanks. I'll try and catch more calls if I can.

 

[BY Bob]

Here it doesn't make any difference if I arrive during a general alarm call. It can take many minutes for them to calm down if they've been badly spooked.

Mine calm down immediately when I arrive. Unless they have scattered. Then I need to call them, same as always, and they then come to me.

 

[BY Bob]

Funny!
For some reason I always shout CHICKENS! when I approach. I always feel a bit foolish as it is self-evident to them and me that they are, indeed, chickens. But somehow it stuck and even if I shout CHICKENS! from quite a way away they all come running or flying. Today Maggie was so excited even she flew!

For me it is chook chook chook. That is all it takes if I want them all. If I just want one, I call their name and, usually, just that one arrives. Sometimes Aurora tags along, just in case there is food to be had.

Not that she is going hungry or anything.