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Playing Dead!

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by ZaneyMama, May 31, 2010.

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  1. May 31, 2010 #1
    ZaneyMama

    ZaneyMama Songster

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    Feb 2, 2010
    Boulder, Colorado
    My 2 dogs got out today while the chickens were free ranging and one of them tried to kill one of my chickens. The other one chased a couple of the chickens but didn't hurt them. In the aftermath (no one was permanently injured), I went looking for 3 of the chickens I couldn't find. I was carrying one around to call to the others and she was being very helpful. I was looking in our woodpile and didn't notice anything. I went back and suddenly saw a mass of feathers and no neck or head, but no blood - she was camouflaged in the woodpile. She's a brown EE. I thought for sure she was dead. Turns out, she had her head shoved far in between some logs and was playing dead! AMAZING! As soon as I pulled her out, she was completely fine. Not a scratch on her. I had no idea they did that.

    The BR that was attacked limped for a little while, then recovered completely! These girls really are tough! I am SO glad everyone survived and I am being extra vigilant with my dogs now. We are actually trying to find a new home for the terrier!
     
  2. May 31, 2010 #2
    Kanga77510

    Kanga77510 Songster

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    Oct 10, 2009
    Santa Fe, TX
    Whew! Smart little girl you have there. :)
     
  3. May 31, 2010 #3
    simpsoncj

    simpsoncj Songster

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    Dec 27, 2009
    I don't know about playing dead, but we have these two bales of straw in the backyard sitting a few inches apart and the chickens will go up to it, shove their heads in between the two bales and push as hard as they can until it seems like their stuck there, then they lay down. Then after awhile, maybe 20 minutes or half an hour, they pull back out and go their merry way! We have never been able to figure out what they are doing!

    I am glad your chickens are alright and no real harm was done.

    CJ
     
  4. May 31, 2010 #4
    WriterofWords

    WriterofWords Has Fainting Chickens

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    Chaparral, New Mexico
    She was probably trying to squeeze in there to hide. Mine will do that when they are being bothered by the roos too much,, except it leaves their butts exposed!
     
  5. May 31, 2010 #5
    Imp

    Imp All things share the same breath- Chief Seattle

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    Sep 7, 2008
    The Emerald City
    My Coop
    Maybe a little Ostrich in the family?

    Imp-a little possum too. [​IMG]
     
  6. May 31, 2010 #6
    gryeyes

    gryeyes Covered in Pet Hair & Feathers

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    My slice of heaven in Somerset, CA
    The tall weeds I've pulled have been thrown into several piles I'll have to gather up and put into the "green" trash container later this week. One pile got built around the base of one of my Topsy Turvy Deluxe Tomato planters... and the chickens have burrowed into it, making it more of a little cave. There were THREE pullets in there today! (Not laying their eggs, thank goodness.)

    I noticed one of the chicks in the brooder likes to burrow her head into the pine shavings, too - to go to sleep! Odd. Never saw that before now.
     

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