Like they are frozen in time

[monamomma]

Ok, so this is freaking me out! Twice now I have witnessed all three chickens looking like they are frozen in time! From out of nowhere they will stop in their tracks and not move! I literally just stood at my kitchen door for over 25 minutes and watched this "phenomenon" if you will. They DO NOT move so much as their toes. And then, all of a sudden, they come out of this trance-like state and go on about their business. Please, someone out there explain this to me!

 

[PolkaDot77]

Hi! When they freeze, do you see any birds in the sky? They are probably noticing something that you are not if they are all doing it at the same time. I bet it's funny to watch, but to them they are probably deciding fight or flight!

 

[monamomma]

No matter what is around them at the time, they do not move. Vehicles, planes, dogs barking, birds flying by, my husband pulling into the driveway and walking up the driveway, nothing brings them out of the "trance". It is the wildest thing I have ever seen...a little scary too.

 

[RockerHen]

Have you noticed when they do this, they are next to each other? Sometimes, birds will have a staredown, a 'battle of wills', even, in which the first to look away is deemed more submissive than the 'victor'. It sort of establishes dominance without fighting. If not, it may be because they saw a potential predator and are trying to remain motionless and unseen.
This video I've found shows one of these 'staredowns'--it always cracks me up.

 

[monamomma]

No, they are not next to or in front of each other. They can be anywhere in the enclosure and all of a sudden just stop in their tracks. They remind you of a mount that a taxidermist would do for someone. It is so weird when they do it. I wish I could capture it on video!

 

[slatts]

I bet they have sensed a threat. The other day my girls were working in some scrub brush when they all froze. I saw a hawk land nearby overhead and it chirped. I don't think the hawk was hunting because it was so noisy but it was clear my pullets sensed the threat. As soon as the hawk left they went right back to work.

 

[chicksurreal]

Have you noticed when they do this, they are next to each other? Sometimes, birds will have a staredown, a 'battle of wills', even, in which the first to look away is deemed more submissive than the 'victor'. It sort of establishes dominance without fighting. If not, it may be because they saw a potential predator and are trying to remain motionless and unseen.
This video I've found shows one of these 'staredowns'--it always cracks me up.

Funny video! It always cracks me up when my two cockerels (and even the pullets sometimes) get into these stand offs. They will literally stand like that for minutes at a time and usually whoever looks away first tries to look busy, like they HAD to look away. Too funny!