What would get them all agitated?

[PlymouthRocker]

Today I heard my 23 girls cackling up a storm. They went on for about 5 minutes. I went to the window and saw all of them looking one way, but I couldn't see what was in their line of sight. By the time I got to the other window, I thought I saw a cat go into my daughter's playhouse.

The girls wouldn't stop fussing, so I ran downstairs and grabbed a broom to take with me outside. By the time I got to the playhouse, whatever it was had taken off. I told the girl in the run and then the coop and to be quiet. I was surprised when they all stopped squawking. Not another peep out of them.

My question is this: would a stray cat get them all riled up like that?

 

[sred98]

Anything out of the ordinary would. I could see a cat causing that much anxiety, especially if you don't have a cat they are used to being around. Mine are the same way...once I come out and see what's causing the fuss, everyone calms down.

Hopefully that's all it was!

Shelly

 

[CHIC]

Mine get that way sometimes about hawks and such.

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

We swear ours do that when an ant crosses the pens. Ours will growl when any type of predator comes around. We have two guard dogs and we just think the growling is imitating what the dogs should be doing.

 

[PlymouthRocker]

The girls are oblivious to the hawks when they are in the run. I did see them all looking in the same direction - towards the playhouse. We have indoor cats, but I do see strays in our yard from time to time.

Thanks for the feedback. I was struck most by how I was able to calm them down immediately. I guess I only have a strong-willed kid, not strong-willed chickens.