What scared my mama hens?

[ashlierami]

I have 2 Mamas right now. One is a white silkie and the other is a bcm. Both have 2 chicks and raise them separately but in the same area. Today I went to check their food and water. My bcm hen freaked out and started trying to attack the small pail I brought along. I thought maybe I startled her so I finished my job and went to the other mamas pen. She did the same thing. It seems to all go back to this small yellow pail I had their food in. I've never used this pail before and it was just random since I couldn't find the usual food bowl I use to carry their food. Why did this scare them? It's yellow in color but that's all it doesn't have any images on it. Both hens were freaking out in their pen until the pail was out of sight. Even as I was carrying it they were sounding the alarm for danger which got my alpha roo upset.

 

[lazy gardener]

Could be a predator has them on high alert. How old are the chicks? The first 2 weeks, the broody hormones are at their highest, resulting in Mama being in high defense mode for ANYTHING that goes near her chicks.

 

[ashlierami]

Could be a predator has them on high alert. How old are the chicks? The first 2 weeks, the broody hormones are at their highest, resulting in Mama being in high defense mode for ANYTHING that goes near her chicks.

My cat chased the white silkies chicks about 2 weeks ago but no one was harmed. The bcm hen has never had anything bother her or her chicks. Both are in a coop with a run until they get older. The white silkies chicks are about 6 weeks and the bcm chicks are 2 weeks and a few days. They just didn't seem to like this yellow pail. I put this pail near them and they started running crazy. I did this to determine if that was what they are afraid of.

 

[aart]

I've never used this pail before

Something new.....natural reaction.

 

[ronott1]

Try using the old dish next time.