Why did they all start freaking out?

A ramp and door would be a good idea.

As far as their freaking out is concerned, they may have perceived something as a threat and reacted to it. They are young and not sure of what to be afraid of, so they are afraid of lots of things.

My girls used to get all worked up when a blue jay flew overhead. They have since learned that jays aren't a threat and don't over-react to them. They would even freak out when a jay did its screeching call.

 

Chickens are a prey-type animal who must communicate with the entire flock to avoid danger. Every flock member has a way to signal to the others they sense danger. Roosters make a whistle type sound to his flock that he senses a predator (most of the time when a bird flys over there head) and it's time to be alert and very quiet and still. Hens cluck in a slow manner to get her chicks closer to protect them and call to the rooster when they are picked up (that loud crying is a cry for help for the rooster). Chicks cry loudly when they are in fear to tell the mother to come protect them (also when seperated they call out in the same way)

The most common natural predator they have is birds of prey like the hawk. Because of the chickens good hearing they can here objects move over their heads and this frightens them. The chicks likely caught a sound that scared them and they wanted to communicate that with their mother. You got the message instead. How sweet this is because in a sense ,they are telling you that they need you and look for you for help. They consider you mama

I believe that letting them have acsess to the broodier when free-ranging is a good idea. They consider it safe and warm and when they want to warm up they can get in the brooder. They sound like very happy chicks. Good luck!



Timothy in KY

 

Chickens are funny critters, and they're all about that flock instinct thing. I have had situations where one bird spied something that it didn't like, sounded an alarm call, and within five seconds every bird in the place was going insane. This has happened with both adults and youngsters; I'm afraid they don't grow out of it. It could have been a bird flying by overhead, it could have been a squirrel, or it could have been a genuine threat like a stray cat or other predator.

Currently we have three roosters that spend the day in the front yard. I have learned to hop up and go investigate when all three start sounding off, because often it really is something. They've alerted me to visitors many times, and also to the presence of a Cooper's hawk sitting in the tree overhead. But they also flip out over minor stuff, like a cow in the nearby pasture bonking her horn against the fence. Ooo, scary!

 

I talk to my chickens a lot. They know the sound of my voice, and I am known as the "treat dispenser" that doesn't try to hurt them...LOL. And I have a parade of chickens following me around the yard every time I step outside.

I put everyone in before dark, but I often make another round about 9-10pm, to check on everyone, make sure the doors are locked, and that everyone is roosting and acting normal. On my late night rounds, I make sure I talk to them gently, so they know who it is, and they calm down right away, and don't get up, or act worried anymore.

That might help?

 

I have orps and at about 5 weeks they go through the "OH NO IT"S A HUMAN! RUUUUUUUUUUN!" Stage.

It's just a phase. Seeing me daily, knowing I bring the food gets them to settle in. I equate it to the terrible twos. It's just something they do.