I too have experience with the interaction between ferrets and chickens. Chickens have a natural fear of potential predators and definitely recognize ferrets as a threat. I "chickensit" the next-door neighbor's chickens when they are out of town (yes, I DO live in downtown Atlanta). My neighborhood, Cabbagetown, is a milltown, which was built and formed by Appalachian Mountain families. They brought their backyard livestock with them and the city has "grandfathered" them in even though the area is becoming gentrified (unfortunately). Anyway, I took the Dudes over with me to feed the chickens one day and was REALLY surprised when Big Red (a fugitive from professional cockfighting) ran between the ferrets and the hens. He puffed up all his beautiful neck feathers, raised his comb and let out a high pitched CAW. Then took to the air with feet sporting 2 INCH spurs, aimed directly at Loki and Ferris! We ALL scattered! I gathered up the boys and we headed back toward our yard. Big Red has never shown any aggression towards people or even the dogs that come to the pen to sniff. It was VERY impressive. I have also seen wild birds become loud and agitated when the ferrets are outside. Birds really do know that ferrets are an able and probable predator. Lesley [Posted in FML 5973]