Scary!

[Suziers]

Today I put up a portable pen to let my chickens out to range when I am outside gardening. It is simply a 50 foot green plastic fence with 10 4 foot 'step-in' posts. I put it up around their run door and they came out in the yard for a bit. I sat down and watched them. After about 20 minutes I heard a bullfrog croak and suddenly the chicken froze. I've seen them do this before, but it went on and on and on. I looked at my watch and it was 30 seconds before they moved. Within 5 seconds of them moving again a HUGE hawk swooped down and landed on a tree branch right above the fence. I popped up and shooed them into their covered run (of course one had to run out into the yard so I had to catch it) but then they were all locked in and safe.

I had never seen such a long frozen stance from these girls before. One even had her leg partly up in the air. I was surprised when I saw the hawk as I thought they would scatter and run for cover when they sensed a hawk. Has anyone seen this 'entire flock freeze' behavior before?

 

[Judy]

Sure have. Sometimes if they see the shadow of a bird flying over, they run into the coop, and sometimes they freeze. I duuno why the difference.

 

[patyrdz]

Wow, that is scary!

I wonder if it was because none of them made the noise that they make when it's time to run!?

I am glad they are all ok!!