Danger Warning in Chickens – Whynnie Speaks Out on Safety

Recent fox sightings near the chicken area led to calling out the danger warning in chickens. If you have chickens you no doubt have heard the difference in the danger warning in chickens compared to the usual chattering and clucking that goes on throughout the day. Chickens might not make loud noises all day, but there is usually a good amount of communication going on in the chicken run or yard. Whynnie, our coop spokeschicken called us to a meeting recently. She was worried about the current state of security in the small animal area and wanted to go on record as requesting we beef up the safety measures.

Dear Diary 

Whynnie here, reporting in after today’s meeting with the human Farmher. I called her to the meeting after overhearing the humans talking about seeing a few foxes around lately. I knew something was up because the men humans have been stopping by frequently during the day and letting the dogs sniff around. The Farmher apologized for not alerting me sooner. She said she didn’t want us to lose any sleep over it. What is that supposed to mean! It is our safety that is at stake here. Did she forget that it’s only been a year since a fox took out some of our beloved family. Hrumph. The nerve. And the electric thingy that makes the fence sing all high pitched isn’t working. It broke during the heavy snowstorms when we had to stay inside for days on end.

Look I don’t want to sound ungrateful but these humans sometimes don’t know what to look for. I called an emergency meeting with all the chickens to discuss the proper response to the threat.

The following guidelines were reviewed. Danger Warning in Chickens

1. When one of the roosters sends out a Danger Warning in Chickens cry, everyone is to stop immediately and run into the coop. Not after the worm is tugged from the ground Belle. Immediately. As fast as you can. Fly even if it is across the ground!
2. No chicken will stray far from the sight of one of the roosters. Keep a rooster in your sight at all times. Yes even King. And yes even if he is feeling overly romantic that day. I understand that his pickup routine is getting a little bit old. Deal with it for now.
3.  When in the coop during a Danger Warning in Chickens time, fly to the top perches and stay there until the all clear is put out. Don’t make me chase you off of the grain on the way to the roost bar. Get there and sit still. Make room for everyone. This is not the time for special seats and for goodness sake don’t save seats for your BFF. Just get on the roost. It just might save your life.
4. If we are out free ranging and you hear the Danger Warning in Chickens, everyone should immediately start making a ruckus as loudly as possible to alert the humans. If we are out free ranging, at least one of them is here so cackle, bawk and cluck loudly to call the human. 

Those of you who are new to the flock since the attack last year, pay attention to these guidelines. I know you are young and carefree now. Nothing makes you grow up fast like a fox attack. It is just not true that the fox only attacks at dusk. Those pesky cat-dogs attack ANY TIME they feel hungry. Anytime. Just like those rude hawks. I tell you, it’s enough to turn a black and white chicken totally gray with worry. I have so many to look out for. And I hear tell that there are more residing in a nearby building that are still too small to join us here on the farm.

We ended the meeting with mealworms and blueberries because we still need to be happy and live life. I sure hope the points covered sank into their small heads. I remain on alert as do TJ Roo, King and Little Roo.

“To whom much is given, much is expected” 

Yours Truly

Whynnie