Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[WhoDatChick]

Will do!

 

[BY Bob]

I have often wondered about chickens ability to hunt cooperatively.
If as current science has it that chickens were at some point in time like small ground raptors with arms instead of beaks and maybe scales instead of feathers, group hunting would see to be probable at some stage.
So, I found this interesting.
This lot saw a lizard dart into the bush.
View attachment 2009196
They surrounded the bush and tried to find it.
View attachment 2009197

I posted on this a while back. I sat and watched my flock work together to try and kill and small rodent, mouse or chipmunk I cannot remember which. There was active communication between flock members and coordinated movements to try and herd the rodent to where they could attack it. I could actually hear the rodent scream as it realized it was being hunted.

On a certain level it was a disturbing site but I was also fascinated and frankly proud of them for the way they worked together to hunt. They were clearly coordinating and communicating with vocalizations I had not heard before. Each flock member would react every time one of them”spoke”.

Their strategy was sound as they used the fence line to help hem in their victim. Fortunately for the rodent, there was a spot where it was finally able to squeeze under the fence. Another foot and it was a goner, Lilly was in attack position ready to hit it. The others were actively herding it towards Lilly.

 

[micstrachan]

I hope it’s ok that I’m crashing/joini g this thread. Tried to join a different one awhile back, but could not keep up.

Minnie (Buckeye pullet) laid her first egg today!

 

[micstrachan]

I posted on this a while back. I sat and watched my flock work together to try and kil and small rodent, mouse or chipmunk I cannot remember. There was active communication between flock members and coordinated movements to try and heard the rodent to where they could attack it. I could actually hear the rodent screen as it realized it was being hunted.

On a certain level it was a disturbing site but I was also fascinated and frankly proud of them for the way they worked together to hunt. They were clearly working together and communicating with vocalizations I had not heard before. Each flock member would react every time one of them”spoke”.

Their strategy was sound as they used the fence line to help hem in their victim. Fortunately for the rodent, there was a spot where it was finally able to squeeze under the fence. Another foot and it was a goner, Lilly was in attack position ready to hit it. The others were actively herding it towards Lilly.

Amazing!! I have a video from my first flock of four with a gopher! I was worried the gopher was sick and did not let them finish... didn’t get past the investigation phase. will try to remember to upload later.

 

[MaryJanet]

I posted on this a while back. I sat and watched my flock work together to try and kill and small rodent, mouse or chipmunk I cannot remember which. There was active communication between flock members and coordinated movements to try and herd the rodent to where they could attack it. I could actually hear the rodent scream as it realized it was being hunted.

On a certain level it was a disturbing site but I was also fascinated and frankly proud of them for the way they worked together to hunt. They were clearly coordinating and communicating with vocalizations I had not heard before. Each flock member would react every time one of them”spoke”.

Their strategy was sound as they used the fence line to help hem in their victim. Fortunately for the rodent, there was a spot where it was finally able to squeeze under the fence. Another foot and it was a goner, Lilly was in attack position ready to hit it. The others were actively herding it towards Lilly.

That's amazing. These are very underestimated creatures. Makes me wonder which other species have been underestimated.

 

[MaryJanet]

I hope it’s ok that I’m crashing/joini g this thread. Tried to join a different one awhile back, but could not keep up.

Minnie (Buckeye pullet) laid her first egg today!View attachment 2009222

Congrats on Minnie's first egg!!

 

[BY Bob]

I’ll have my children do it as well. Perhaps they can spread the word.

 

[BY Bob]

I hope it’s ok that I’m crashing/joini g this thread. Tried to join a different one awhile back, but could not keep up.

Minnie (Buckeye pullet) laid her first egg today!View attachment 2009222

Congrats! It’s hard to beat the first egg. Everyone is welcome here. Don’t feel pressured to keep up. Just drop by when you can!

 

[BY Bob]

Amazing!! I have a video from my first flock of four with a gopher! I was worried the gopher was sick and did not let them finish... didn’t get past the investigation phase. will try to remember to upload later.

I would love to see that!

I have some photos but i was so taken aback i never thought to film it!

 

[BY Bob]

That's amazing. These are very underestimated creatures. Makes me wonder which other species have been underestimated.

Many. Humans underestimate other creatures every day.