Single hen

[koo2cat]

One of our hens, Margot, has become extremely noisy and I am very worried that I am going to get complaints from the neighbors. We live in a semi-rural setting, in fact all the houses on our road back on to fileds so country noises are expected but Margot doesn't shut up!

 

She spends most of the time pacing up and down the run (which is pretty large approx. 5m by 12m) crowing to come out. If I let her come out to free range she stops being vocal immediately but I can't let her free range permanently.

 

We are in the process of introducing some new hens which isn't helping so she is noisier than ever. The other hens don't make a noise at all!

 

One neighbor did mention to me the other day that she had woken her son up and he had moaned! I am now totally paranoid about the noise level and with the warmer weather on its way and people out in their gardens more I am very worried.

 

Any suggestions?

[sophiex]

well koo2cat, i would love to help, but

i have no idea about it! i am

sure that some one will know

what to do. good luck x

[Plum]

Better get some eggs round to your neighbour and her son Some seem to just be noisy.

I don't think people will mind so much during the day, unless they work nights but it is worrying in the mornings. From what I've read I decided that not giving in to the noise and demands can change behaviour so they don't expect something every time they shout.

One of mine is really noisy at times and I cringe in case she upsets someone. I try and put things in their run to keep them occupied like veg hung up and hiding food in the run bedding so they have something to scratch for.

This morning I hid one of those pet balls with corn in to keep them occupied which was hilarious when they were playing football with it but I think perhaps it was a daft thing to do, as they will make a noise if they can't find it tomorrow.

I hang spring cabbage up too high for them to reach so they have to jump which keeps them busy.

They have steps, perches and log stand on and break the run up to make them pace round them.

Having said all this Pigeon still likes the sound of her own voice. How about masking tape around the beak.

[koo2cat]

Thank you both for your replies. The masking tape is becoming a very attractive option! I do keep threatening her with the casserole but she doesn't listen! I am trying to be tough with them and limiting free ranging time so that she doesn't always expect to come out!

 

I really would hate to have to lose Margot, she is so full of character and the most tame but I fear if she doesn't quiet down a bit I may have to have her rehomed! That would be a shame as I had to rehome a hen last year for bullying!

 

I really love having the girls but I wish they would behave!

[sparkysmum]

I understand what noisy hens are now Our quiet, peaceful ladies have woken up Can't believe the racket My neighbour works from home As koo2cat says they just want out and don't want to compromise. Not a happy chicken mummy

[Kittycat]

I read somewhere on a different forum that chickens can make more noise when they are getting used to each other and also when they are just coming into lay too. Not sure whether that applies to you but I have 3 girls and for the week or 10 days before Rosie started to lay the noise levels in the morning were a lot worse. Since she's started laying, everything's been a lot quieter.

 

I definitely agree with the policy of keep them guessing - i.e. if at all possible, don't get into a set routine. Also, try going out frequently and not giving them anything or letting them out - that way they learn that they don't always get something they want just because you go out there! Hark at me, I've only had chickens for 4 weeks and I've turned into a chicken psychologist

 

Good luck...

[4Clucks-minusOne]

One of mine started shouting late this afternoon. We were upstairs and heard the racket above the noise of a drill. Thought the fox was sitting on the fence or worse but as we ran up the drive she stopped and didn't make another sound. She has done this once before when she was out of the run otherwise not much noise.

 

Sorry this doesn't really help you.

[Plum]

I read somewhere on a different forum that chickens can make more noise when they are getting used to each other and also when they are just coming into lay too.

...

 

I reckon this applies to mine.

Grackle was bottom of pecking order now top. She was really difficult to handle last week now she and Sparrow peck and chase Pigeon.

My fault for saying they all get on really well and we didn't seem to have a pecking order.

What I'm trying to say is that this may be why they are making a racket.

 

Your name is so appropriate For clucks sake. Think I'll adopt that phrase with them.

[Chillicat]

Mine have been noisy lately...............but haven't all the birds?

We have millions of the things chatting away and jibbering at 4am in nearby trees

I've found that my girls like to vocally announce their eggs and have a squabble if the nest box is busy

The other day I went up to see what all the fuss was about and two of them where having a right old slanging match. Needless to say they took no notice of me trying to them up

[ted]

my two leghorns (shirley and Charlotte) have started making a real racket when they are about to pop an egg out. This lasts for about an hour then they seem ok again. The noises seem quite different before during and after the process as if they are firstly getting attention, then laying then showing off???

At the "showing off" spectacular yesterday Billy and George joined in with the same song pattern??? Like they were joining in the celebration?

[koo2cat]

I am reassured that there are a few of us with noisy hens! We have just had a permanent run built and I am really wishing now that we had put it at the end of the garden instead of by our house and nearer to next door. Trouble is, as it isn't a fox proof run I feel happier with them nearer the house. This morning I heard Margot crying to get out of the cube at 6:10!!! I went and let her out and have now decided to let her free range first thing for an hour or so on her own until everyone is up and about! At least she is quiet then. The drawback of this of course is that in the middle of summer am I going to be getting up at 4am to let her out!!!!

 

I know the cube has been carefully designed to allow ventilation but has anybody placed anthing over it to keep it darker in there for longer I can't be getting up at 4am even though we have 3 children under 5 in the house who get up early, 4am in mid summer would be a nightmare!!

 

Oh, I did think of keeping cube door open but think she will then just cry to come out of cube run!!!

 

I also love your name "for clucks sake" Excellent!!!!

[ted]

I would imagine that anything that would block out light copletely would also not allow full airflow. Something like the black anti weed fabric you put under gravel may give you "dusk" conditions but still allow air through??

[cordelia]

one of my girl is making a racket in the morning from at least 6.30am at the moment....and its awful....I ahve to get up then and take them something to keep them quiet...

 

a tin of sweetcorn (salt and sugar free) or some porridge oats...they take ages to eat

 

Millet was v popular..but it was expensive...as it was boxed...

 

anything....mixed corn, but im running out...

 

I am even considering moving to mash instead of pellets to keep them occupied all day....

 

I think we'll also explore a blanket over the eglu, but the dog ater the last dark one we had

[Omletina Kyckling]

my two leghorns (shirley and Charlotte) have started making a real racket when they are about to pop an egg out. This lasts for about an hour then they seem ok again. The noises seem quite different before during and after the process as if they are firstly getting attention, then laying then showing off???

At the "showing off" spectacular yesterday Billy and George joined in with the same song pattern??? Like they were joining in the celebration?

 

I just call my leghorns the foghorns now as they make so much noise, as you say, before, during and after egg leaying. They are drama queens!!

[WitchHazel]

We've been experimenting. In the morning, the Girls tend to line up at the front of their (walk in) run, and make a lot of noise waiting to be let out. So, we tried putting an Omlet shade across the bottom, so that they can't see the house from there.

 

So far, it seems to have helped. There is no point in the girls congregating there as they can't see anything, so they seem to be less noisy.

 

We unclip it during the day.

 

Hope that helps

[helen5848]

One of my hens when I first got her could be quite vocal - again, as per the other posts I think that this was partly my fault as she was used to her mash first thing and then within a couple of hours a dish of treats (sweetcorn / porridge etc). I have a wooden hen run and the other night I tried covering it as far as possible with dark fabric - this did seem to work and may be worth a try (if it is possible with an eglu?).

 

Also, as a couple of the other posts have mentioned I spend ages each night / morning hanging treats etc (like spring cabbage / corn on the cob) around their run and this does appear to occupy them first thing - by the time they are fed up again it is a more reasonable time!

 

I am due to go away for the night in a couple of weeks and have been panicking about arrangements for my girls - I usually lock them in at night but they like to be let out at 7am prompt - although my mum is kindly coming to check on the hens for me whilst we are gone - I think asking her to come round at 7 to let them out is a bit too much. Anyway I have recently tried not locking them in, just pushing the wooden door too so that they can swing it opne when they are ready - big mistake! They had burst their wasy out by 6.30 and were happily singing away!

 

Good job I love my girlies to bits! The amount of stress they can bring is unreal

[chelsea]

 

I know the cube has been carefully designed to allow ventilation but has anybody placed anthing over it to keep it darker in there for longer I can't be getting up at 4am even though we have 3 children under 5 in the house who get up early, 4am in mid summer would be a nightmare!!

 

 

 

 

We have been covering our cube with a dark cover for well over a year now and it definitely works for us. I use a black backed picnic blanket and drape it over the top but allow the front vent on the right hand side of the door to remain un covered and it covers the back top gap. (if that makes sense). We know it works because we have a camera inside the cube and if we watch them in the morning before opening the door they are still asleep

 

If I was to leave the door open my lot would be out early in the run, will have eaten & scratched and be bored by 7am wanting to come out of the run. By getting them in a routine and opening the door at the same time every morning your girls should get used to it and the noise will hopefully get less.

[koo2cat]

Thanks Chelsea for that info! I did put a blanket over the cube last night but unfortunately my husband was up early and let them out at 6am so I couldn't really put it to the test!

 

I have one of those picnic blankets and will give that a try and try and keep them in the cube till 7am. Trouble is after about 10mins, Margot then wants to come out of the run to free range!! so starts being noisy again.

 

I am experimenting with sweetcorn, cabbage, mixed corn etc at the mo to see if it keeps them busy for longer! My chickens have now beome very expensive to keep!!!

[chelsea]

Stand firm! my lot are the same as Margot, I think they can hear me pottering about in the kitchen and shout to come out. They were doing it this morning, they bok bokked for about 10 minutes and then realised mummy wasnt giving in so they shut up. Remember you are the boss!!

[koo2cat]

Thanks Chelsea - you are right. I need to let them no who is in charge! I must be a soft touch as my three girls (the human variety) often think they are in charge too like the hens !

[Mutrix Farmers]

I think they all have spring fever!

[koo2cat]

 

I have just been down to let chickens out at 5:45 as Margot was being noisy! The blanket over the cube clearly did not work! This is getting ridiculous - what am I going to do????

[Kittycat]

Unfortuantely, I think this is probably a case of going back to who is the boss. Your chicken has realised that if she makes a lot of noise she gets rewarded by you letting her out. In effect, she has trained you

 

I know it's not easy when you're worried about neighbours and trying to keep the noise down but I think the only way you're going to change things is to completely ignore her and let her out only when you're ready to - at a more sensible time. At least if you have a blanket over the top it might help muffle some of the noise. I think if you can grit your teeth and hold firm for a week or two (without giving in even once) you might find things get a whole lot better.

 

Good luck!

[koo2cat]

I know you are right but I lay in bed cringing as soon a she starts. My neighbors do have double glazing (we don't) but I still would hate to think of the chickens waking them up at a ridiculous hour!

 

Question is shall I give in to her for another week (given it is the weekend tomorrow and people will want to lie in) and then wait till the clocks go forward so she would be hopefully waking up at nearer 7am? Then we can start as we mean to go on. I have even thought of bringing her into the house in a box which I know sounds absolutely ridiculous and certainly wouldn't stop the problem long term.

 

Am I worrying unnecessarily or is it unacceptable to have chickens squawking at 5:45am in a semi rural setting?

 

I could live with the noise during the day if only she shut up first thing in the morning!!!

[chelsea]

but I think the only way you're going to change things is to completely ignore her and let her out only when you're ready to - at a more sensible time. At least if you have a blanket over the top it might help muffle some of the noise. I think if you can grit your teeth and hold firm for a week or two (without giving in even once) you might find things get a whole lot better.

 

Good luck!

 

Completely agree She's playing you like a good'un. Dont give in - let her squark till her throat is sore and then she will realise she cant get everything she wants

 

With the blanket over the top and the cube door closed neighbours should not be bothered. Why not get some old pillows or similar and just lay on the cube roof (not covering the ventilation holes) to muffle out some more sound just until she is trained...