Young chickens flying AT the wire fence?

[EmRose]

I first noticed this when I let one of my cats in the run for the second time while the chicks were out. I let her wander on her own this time, and I think she was more afraid of the chicks than vice-versa. They ran up to look at her every time her back was turned. Otherwise they seemed to get along alright. When I let the cat out and closed the door, a few seconds later one of the chicks flew at the fence, sort of to the side of the door. She held on sideways for a second flapping like crazy and then flew back down.

Then the other day we had company and I let the kids and one of the adults in to look at the chicks and pet them. They weren't cruel or hyper or anything, at least not while I had them inside. Awhile after they left the run and I was still standing inside, three or four of the chicks did the same thing as before at the same spot, one right after another.

Is this their reaction to visitors or a game they play or what?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's not a game. They're running for their lives.
Unless they're tamed by holding them, they're wild birds and afraid of anything that isn't a chicken.

 

[EmRose]

...But they weren't being chased. I was the only one in the pen by this point. And I do hold them.

 

[Den in Penn]

With the cat I would have said that the chick thought "Hey that cat went out there. I think will too" Then realized it could not. With the people maybe the same. Who knows?