Why do chickens stop motionless for several minutes?

[Meli]

Thanks everyone! There was no alarm call. It's really fascinating to watch, I can't believe they stay so still for so long!

 

[woodmort]

Senior moment--have them all the time.

 

[zeus]

mine will do that if they see something moving in the woods,like the neighbors cat sneaking around....i heard them growl at the cat!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

There are old chickens and there are bold chickens, but there are no old, bold chickens.

Prudent caution is what keeps the little chicken alive.

 

[Turkeyrangler]

As long as they don't freeze, scream in unison and then say "We Are Coming" in unison like on Torchwood I think we're all good. Sorry, just had to post this. I'm a science fiction geek. If your chickens do this ....RUN!!!....

Link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yTD8OVHj9U


Mine do they same thing when they hear something they don't like, or see a bird in the sky.

 

[gryeyes]

I think chicken communication is amazing. I have several Roos - one dominant one, of course - and they have it all worked out.

When Charlie the bantam Buff Brahma was learning the roo business, very young, he once alerted at one of the very large orange dragonflies which frequent my goldfish ponds. That was such a hoot!

He has taken it upon himself to personally chase every blue jay out of the yard when ever they show up (to steal cat food, one kibble at a time from the elevated yard cat feeding station). Carl, my dominant, LF roo, just watches for a moment, then leads the girls further away to forage.

But it sure is nifty to watch the flock's frozen moments.

 

[Desert Rooster]

my easter egger does that because she's at the rock bottom of the pecking order. she does it when the boss hen chases her, i guess so they think she's a statue and leave her alone

 

[DIYSeattle]

Birds cannot focus while their heads are in motion like people can. Thats why you see pigeons and chickens jut their heads forward then move their bodies under their heads.

 

[33yardbirds]

Bullet Hawk did a glide-by, rooster gave a high pitched purr and every bird went into freeze frame till the all clear cluck was given.

 

[egg proof]

Mine watch squirrels in the woods nearby. They will even look up into the trees now that the leaves are gone, when squirrels pass by