Speed = (Distance/Time) * Flapping Velocity?

[Stacykins]

I find it so hilarious that every time my chickens need to get somewhere fast, they run as quickly as their little legs will go while flapping their wings madly! They rarely get airborne, it is instead more like their personal jet engine to thrust them forward as they run! Are my chooks normal or nutty? I noted this behavior is especially prevalent when a human gives a 'treat call' and the chickens all come hustling over for first dibs!

And I am sure a physicist would contend that my equation is all wrong. If it is, please do, math and physics was never my strong point!

 

[sdeneen2001]

Are my chooks normal or nutty?

YES!

 

[nickie]

Lol, makes me think of the movie Chicken Run. Which to my great enjoyment is my kids favorite movie right now.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

LOL... I've noticed that sometimes they're so excited to see someone walk up to the run that they launch from the coop door (in the fashion you describe) and actually run into the gate. Especially the Orpy roo. ---------> WHAM! At least once a week. None seem worse for wear though. Is this a miscalculation (chicken math) or do they think it's fun?

 

[bloom_ss]

Mine run like that across the open portion of our back yard all the time. LOL They don't like being out in the open much and prefer to be under the trees, but they will make a mad dash up to the back porch when I am out there.

 

[Kelsey2017]

Earlier this summer when I had 30 cornish cross free ranging they would all do that. That has to be one of the most ridiculous things you could ever hope to see. I would go out in the morning to feed and if I was very quiet with the door I could make it off the porch before and the whole yard would come alive with squawking, waddling, flapping fatties. They would actually jiggle as they threw their weight from side to side.

My little Jaerhons on the other hand would just coast in and land which was a fun contrast. Oh and the dive bomb turkeys- look out for those! (SBD)

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Not nutty. It is like a stretching or conditioning excersize. When mine do it they can nearly triple ground speed for short distance. It is an invaluable ability when Mr. Fox calls as it gives the bird a chance to put some distance between itself and predator. Problem for most backyard chickens is they can not transition the ground level speed burst into flight needed to get out of predators reach. My games and red jungle fowl do transition to horizontal flight but seldom go far as the activity appears to be a fun release behavior.

 

[Hinotori]

Most of my EE girls will do that sometimes. The rest of the time they actually fly the distance with much yelling. The silkies apparently know they can't fly and just run with wings tucked. The 12 week old rocks and brahmas do the run/flap. They do not fly.

 

[cottagechick]

My little bantam araucanas are the opposite. They pull all their feahters in; hunker down and put their head down and run forward like a little bulldozer.

 

[gryeyes]

Whenever I see any of my chickens run with their necks outstretched and their beaks leading the way, dashing somewhere at top speed, I always worry they could run into my car and puncture a tire or something. They look that fierce and dangerous. Truly little velociraptors!

On the other hand, if you see the same dash from behind, it makes ya fall over laughing.