choppish Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 what is the quietest breed of chicken? thinking of the neighbours!! many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Hmmm. Sorry I casn't answer that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I think hens vary: there are quiet individuals, but not quiet breeds. When I only had two hens, they were very quiet, but as soon as I went up to four hens they all got a lot noisier, asserting themselves. The more you get, the noisier they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 My SLW is the loudest by far - size isn't everything! When she starts you can hear her at the end of the road. I agree with Gallina, they are all individuals but the more you have, the noisier each is, as they set each other off. One starts and they all join in, whether they know what they are shouting about or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Out of my three, only the Maran Cuivre makes enough noise that you could hear her next door - and that is only when she is announcing her egg or sounding the alarm. It could be that I've struck lucky though, rather than the breeds themselves being quiet! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I dont think there's any deciding factor. We bought cochins as they are supposed to be docile and quiet (we have neighbours too) Well, they didnt live up to their description, they are quite loud. So dont always go by the breed guides. I agree with Gallina, the more you get the more noise - my lot communicate across the garden to each other very loudly . When we had 2 hens we had no noise at all. so maybe that is your best bet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 My 6 are all fairly quiet, 3 of them do a bit of bok bokking when they are laying/about to lay/have laid - Bluebelle (very loud )Margo and pepper. Elsie ( warren ) Lottie ( speckledy) and Hattie ( Blackrock ) don't make any noise at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I have three hens - Maisie (Columbine) can be really noisy but doesn't do it very often, Milly (Rhode Island Red) occasionally joins in and I don't think I've ever heard Molly (Pied Suffolk) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choppish Posted June 1, 2008 Author Share Posted June 1, 2008 many thanks! it seems to be numbers and personalities that factor the noise! i shall be getting 2 so hopefully it will be ok. cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I agree with Chelsea. I bought supposedly quiet cochins only to find that they are SOOOO loud and they are not the noisiest. My smallest pekin is my noisiest hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hils78 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 My Pekins hardly make a noise but my Merrydale crested is SOOO noisy the first time she did a cluck I physically jumped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 If they're telling the truth, my neighbours love the sound of my hens. On our side of the road there is an elevated road traffic bridge, so that anything that makes a more "natural" sound is welcomed. What I find is that wild birds are more shrill (bless 'em) but hens are very lovely cos they make many lovely types of sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 My lot are quiet 99% of the time. All day I hardly hear a peep out of them. Sometimes (but not all the time) when they lay, they announce it to the world, very loudly and I rush out because I'm worried about the neighbours. As soon as they see me, they stop (bit like children demanding attention really). Or if they see a cat in the garden, the "bok, bok" alarm used to start up and they all joined in, but now 1 year on, they don't do that. So, I would say yes, chickens are very quiet, just making the odd quiet noise which is a lovely sound (much better than barking dogs, or cars, planes etc) but they can go for it if they want to. Doesn't last long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Just wanted to add this caution. Two birds make a pair and not a flock, so if you can it might be best to get three. A pair or the lone survivor of a pair will not be as willing to have other birds introduced as hens who have been in a flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hennymom Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 we have 6 hens they are quiet as mice, until one lays and egg...Myrtle makes enough noise for a farmload of hens.. we can hear her inside the house with her shut in her coop and our windows all closed!!! the others are totally silent.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...