Hens/Rooster getting more vocal

[Possum-Pie]

I've had chickens for 5 years. I've learned to distinguish between the "yay! one of my friends just laid an egg!" call, the "I just saw a hawk!" scream, and the other normal noises. I just introduced four new 11-wk pullets to the old flock, and they all adapted well after some normal pecking order scuffles. The past week, I'm startled several times by a loud, "ca-ca-ca-CAAAAA" chant picked up by several older hens and often the rooster. I always run to the door to make sure there isn't a predator, and there never is. It often keeps up for over half an hour and is driving me crazy. The pullets seem to just ignore it. I would think it was a smart predator that I just wasn't seeing, but virtually everything will run if a person comes near, and I end up patrolling around the fence while they keep up the screams. Ideas?

 

[SamLockwood]

You being around isn't really a deterrent to a predator, especially if they're very hungry. I've had attacks when I was less than 20 yards away, other times they'll slink around and wait to see if you leave. The more clever ones will learn your routines and and try to hit your flock while you're likely to be inside or away from the house.

If your flock is experienced enough, they'll start getting more pro-active. When my current flock was younger their "threat radius" was maybe 30 yards, now they sound off if they see something twice that distance away or more.

The current record was over the winter, when my head rooster started shooing hens to cover and then sounded the alarm to summon the guineas to attack. The guineas surged out of the run where they'd been at the feeders, and charged into the woods screaming their heads off. When they hit the fence line, a hawk I hadn't seen at all bolted from a tree about 20 yards from the fence-line, or about 50 yards from where the rooster had been watching initially.

I was hanging out on my back deck and watched the whole thing unfold over a couple of minutes. Me I didn't see the hawk at all until it retreated. I've also noticed they can hear bad weather coming, or low-flying aircraft (which they HATE) well before I can.

 

[Possum-Pie]

Thanks for the response Sam. I have a fully enclosed 150ft long "run" for them with bird netting over the top. I have had a few unfortunate attacks over the years, one dug underneath, then grabbed a hen who strolled too close to the fence. I'm not very worried that they can get in today b/c I've examined the perimeter. There have been increased owl activity (this time of year they get amorous). They have been quiet today, so who knows.

 

[Possum-Pie]

Update: The constant irritating cries have lessened considerably. Not sure what caused it. It has always concerned me that when the Rooster sees a threat and cries in alarm, most of my hens ignore him and continue scratching for insects. Even 4 years ago when we had a different Rooster, the girls basically ignored his threat-cries. They WOULD come running when he unearched some treats like ants, etc. He'd let out with a low-toned trill and they'd come running to eat what he found.