The hens survival strategy

[centrarchid]

That isn't really an answer is it. Go on take your best guess.

You may be something I have not or have a different bias. I have seen many interactions between chickens and predators. Never were there signs I interpret as hen seeing a mating opportunity.

 

[Shadrach]

You may be something I have not or have a different bias. I have seen many interactions between chickens and predators. Never were there signs I interpret as hen seeing a mating opportunity.

It doesn't make sense does it. However, there is no doubt that the hen squats.

 

[centrarchid]

While I agree that this may be possible, chickens can identify a variety of predators, its not been proven.
I have had cockerels who give alarm calls for aeroplanes so that alone cast some doubt on the above

A lot of stuff is not proven, otherwise no need for science. I am giving you a little insight, not fiction from a novice.

You are not picking up on the subtleties of chicken language. Call you are picking up on indicates something above. I can often pick up on above object just flying over, object approaching, or even object coming in directly at you as well as proximity. Visual ques from signal giver gives information on direct.

I live in an environment that has lots of stimuli and I work around chickens in extremely close quarters, much closer than a field biologist so I can pick up on same stimuli from same perspective as the chickens. Some of the signals are intended only for those in close proximity to you, others calls are for birds farther away and some calls are for the predators ear specifically.


As I zoologist, I have good handle on the importance of perspective that is often overlooked by a human observer trying not to interfere with subject animals.

 

[centrarchid]

It doesn't make sense does it. However, there is no doubt that the hen squats.

I am confident enough to doubt pretty much anyone until evidence is provided.

What about hen crouching to reduce profile. I have hens that crouch as a predator approaches rapidly. She often give a signal for offspring to do same or move into bushes or even under her fast. That response works best when cock does his flashy dance to distract predator away from crouching hen.

 

[Shadrach]

A lot of stuff is not proven, otherwise no need for science. I am giving you a little insight, not fiction from a novice.

You are not picking up on the subtleties of chicken language. Call you are picking up on indicates something above. I can often pick up on above object just flying over, object approaching, or even object coming in directly at you as well as proximity. Visual ques from signal giver gives information on direct.

I live in an environment that has lots of stimuli and I work around chickens in extremely close quarters, much closer than a field biologist so I can pick up on same stimuli from same perspective as the chickens. Some of the signals are intended only for those in close proximity to you, others calls are for birds farther away and some calls are for the predators ear specifically.


As I zoologist, I have good handle on the importance of perspective that is often overlooked by a human observer trying not to interfere with subject animals.

Why does the hen squat? It's a simple question. It doesn't need pages of irrelevant information about your career.
I too spend a great deal of time with the chickens here and there are lots of stimuli here as well.
Why does the hen squat.
Take a guess, an intelligent guess please.
At 10 metes for a hawk approach at speed her profile is no longer important. The hawk is locked on by then.

 

[centrarchid]

I have good guess. You need to write your book.

 

[Shadrach]

I have good guess. You need to write your book.

You're right, I do.

 

[True Patriot]

Interesting argument.from both sides. Does anyone have links to the studies for further reading? I can't claim any personal knowledge in the matter. But I would definitely be interested in more information.

 

[centrarchid]

Interesting argument.from both sides. Does anyone have links to the studies for further reading? I can't claim any personal knowledge in the matter. But I would definitely be interested in more information.

I have not seen much of anything in literature describing hen responses in predator avoidance, at least not in english. Most information likely to be of interest will be hidden in german where the behavioral folks are most prominent. The literature is also likely to be old. Search terms best will be on jungle fowl. I have a hard time finding older papers in part because newer authors do not cite them much. Some really cool jewels are buried in the old literature that are not respected by some newer researchers because later did not dig deep enough during actual research phase (going to the library). In the US, such information is not relevant to producers and in most situations not even to backyard folks either. That has been a frustration for me for a long time.

I use google scholar for the first round. Be prepared to look up studies on wild turkeys, quail, peafowl, and pheasants. They will often reference the old stuff you are looking for.

 

[centrarchid]

Look into what a cat does when approached by a canid. It often grouches even when contact with predator imminent.