Strange huddling behavior

[Hen Pen Jem]

Yup, that is typical flocking behavior. They will flock towards food, but when they push to the middle of the flock, it is usually to avoid a predator. As Andreanar said, this behavior is seen in guineas. They do it when they find a snake, so interesting! However, chickens flock like this because they sense, or see a predator. They push to the middle, the ones on the outside become the first victims. I only have a flock of 9, and I saw this behavior just this Summer, when a bobcat tried to enter their pen. I just happen to be cleaning up in the area. At first I thought they were fighting, but they weren't really making any noise. Then I saw the bobcat on the other side of the pen. He was hiding in some tall grass. Two weeks later, he took one of my hens as they were out of the pen in the back yard. Take another look, the hens know something is wrong.

 

[centrarchid]

Based on still photographs provided it looks like they are huddling for a bout of dust bathing. A particular call is given for that by birds finding a suitable spot. That many bunching into a single spot is odd. Area used looks really green. It is possible the birds have not had a recent opportunity to dust bath, as might be provided by lots of rain for many days and pasture being very lush?

Social group with limited dust bathing options. Most looking up and alert, not at food.

And then all dusting hard but only briefly where all so engaged. Hole being used barely big enough for hen.

I see not evidence for fear of predators.

My experience with all female flocks is extremely limiting.

 

[sourland]

I saw no evidence of fear in the pictures provided. Thanks for your input, Centrarchid.

 

[aart]

My first thought was dust bathing too.

 

[Bkrett]

Based on still photographs provided it looks like they are huddling for a bout of dust bathing. A particular call is given for that by birds finding a suitable spot. That many bunching into a single spot is odd. Area used looks really green. It is possible the birds have not had a recent opportunity to dust bath, as might be provided by lots of rain for many days and pasture being very lush?

Social group with limited dust bathing options. Most looking up and alert, not at food.

And then all dusting hard but only briefly where all so engaged. Hole being used barely big enough for hen.

I see not evidence for fear of predators.

My experience with all female flocks is extremely limiting.

I edited the post to add a video. They don't look to be attempting to take a dust bath to me. They have had lots of opportunities for dust baths recently. The reason the grass looks so thick and lush there is because we rotate them throughout a pasture and had just moved them that morning. They have already begun a few dust bath spots, but not in this area where they we huddled up.

 

[Bkrett]

Based on still photographs provided it looks like they are huddling for a bout of dust bathing. A particular call is given for that by birds finding a suitable spot. That many bunching into a single spot is odd. Area used looks really green. It is possible the birds have not had a recent opportunity to dust bath, as might be provided by lots of rain for many days and pasture being very lush?

Social group with limited dust bathing options. Most looking up and alert, not at food.

And then all dusting hard but only briefly where all so engaged. Hole being used barely big enough for hen.

I see not evidence for fear of predators.

My experience with all female flocks is extremely limiting.

I edited the post to add a video. They don't look to be attempting to take a dust bath to me. They have had lots of opportunities for dust baths recently. The reason the grass looks so thick and lush there is because we rotate them throughout a pasture and had just moved them that morning. They have already begun a few dust bath spots, but not in this area where they we huddled up.

 

[Bkrett]

Yup, that is typical flocking behavior. They will flock towards food, but when they push to the middle of the flock, it is usually to avoid a predator. As Andreanar said, this behavior is seen in guineas. They do it when they find a snake, so interesting! However, chickens flock like this because they sense, or see a predator. They push to the middle, the ones on the outside become the first victims. I only have a flock of 9, and I saw this behavior just this Summer, when a bobcat tried to enter their pen. I just happen to be cleaning up in the area. At first I thought they were fighting, but they weren't really making any noise. Then I saw the bobcat on the other side of the pen. He was hiding in some tall grass. Two weeks later, he took one of my hens as they were out of the pen in the back yard. Take another look, the hens know something is wrong.

This makes the most sense to me. I thought they must have seen a hawk because I had heard one earlier in the day, but I looked and looked and couldnt see one in the area. But when you mentioned the bobcat it reminded me that we saw one stalking near the chickens just a few days before. I was focusing looking at the sky, but you are probably right, if I had looked closer out in the pasture grass I might have seen something else stalking nearby.

 

[aart]

Huh....odd.
How long did they do that?

Looks like chick 'comfort' huddling.
Wonder if one or a few of them was a bit spooked, huddled together, and it started chain reaction?

 

[Bkrett]

Huh....odd.
How long did they do that?

Looks like chick 'comfort' huddling.
Wonder if one or a few of them was a bit spooked, huddled together, and it started chain reaction?

It lasted at least 7-8 mins while I watched, left to get my camera and then watched some more. Not sure how long it would have lasted, but they dispersed when I threw out treats

 

[aart]

Well, will be interesting to see if it happens again.
Could be a weird one off anomaly.
If it does maybe don't disperse them, see what happens, just out of curiosity.