Our chickens (15.5 weeks old) only get free range time when my DH or I are home, so they spend most week days confined to their run. When they are out, they range throughout the yard (and actually keep within the borders very well, 99% of the time). In one portion of our yard, which they cannot see/watch when they are in their run, we keep several wild bird feeders stocked and always have feathered visitors.
Now, the chickens never really cared about the wild birds. Paid them little to no attention at all unless it was large and overhead (e.g. hawks, crows, ravens, and vultures...also airplanes/jets
), in which case one sounds the alarm and they all bolt for the nearest cover. Within the past month, though, our BR (who we think might be the alpha, though its very hard to tell with our flock...they're all highly neutral with each other) has taken an interest in wild birds. When they're out roaming within 50 feet or so of the feeders, she'll often watch the birds at the feeder. If she's within 15 feet or so and a wild bird lands on the ground, she started charging them! One time she charged, and instead of taking flight like they usually do, the sparrow ran around her and towards the deck. Our DOM was apparently watching to and when the bird headed for the deck, she headed under it to cut it off! The BR was right behind the sparrow and my DH and I were like, "OH $H!T!" Then the sparrow came flying out, unharmed, and was gone...but our DOM and BR were on foot close behind.
That incident was the ONLY time anyone other than the BR did anything, and as I said, the BR only started this about a month ago. We're assuming is a "defend territory" thing, and it is kind of funny, but is this usual? Has anyone else had this happen? We're surprised they even consider this portion of the yard theirs since they don't get up there often...how big a territory does a chicken think it has?
Now, the chickens never really cared about the wild birds. Paid them little to no attention at all unless it was large and overhead (e.g. hawks, crows, ravens, and vultures...also airplanes/jets
That incident was the ONLY time anyone other than the BR did anything, and as I said, the BR only started this about a month ago. We're assuming is a "defend territory" thing, and it is kind of funny, but is this usual? Has anyone else had this happen? We're surprised they even consider this portion of the yard theirs since they don't get up there often...how big a territory does a chicken think it has?
