4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[rachelg]

Hi,

 

Please, please can someone help me. We got our two chickens in november and things were going very well..............that is until the noise started!!! First one started insisting on waking us up in the morning with a goose like noise. Now they are making a funny moaning and clucking noise all day! The problem is I live in quite a built up area, and it won't be long until the complaints start now that people have their window's open and are in the garden more!!

 

Please can someone give me some advice about why they are making this constant noise, I would have expected the normal clucking, ocassional calling out and so on, but today the moaning has been constant!! I have tried mirrors, food, toys, an obstacle course, but nothing seems to be working!! Personally, the noise does not bother me, but then I am not my night working neighbour!

 

many thanks

 

Rachel G

[Jennyhenny]

Rachel,

 

I can't help as I have only had my girls for two weeks but thought I would just put this so that this post doesn't get missed and moves back up the list for you. Hopefully somebody with more experience will be able to help you.

 

Jennyhenny

[Guest]

Mine are noisy when the run is uncovered - when I put the run cover over it they are quieter! Otherwise they make a whole racket at every scary cloud/bird/plane/sun/shadow or whatever goes over them. It's a natural instinct to feel scared of birds of prey etc..... So why not try it?

 

If they are waking you up - try covering the eglu to excluse light and make them think it's not morning!

 

Good luck!

 

Louise

X

[rachelg]

What a good idea Louise, I will definately try that........I was woken up by them this morning on when I went into the garden I caught a glimpse of one of my neighbours at his bedroom window shaking his head!!!!!

 

I will try that and let you know!

 

Jenny - thank you for posting and good luck with your girls, I never realise chickens could be so much fun and am really pleased we got them (despite the recent trauma!!!!!!!!!!), when I tell people that chicken's have personality's they look at me very strangely, but it's true they are fab! Enjoy getting to know your girls

 

x

[Redwing]

I am not sure of you keep them in at night but if you don't it might be a good idea, being shut in the coop will keep them quieter until you are ready to let them out when you are up

[fluffyknickers]

I have had mine a couple of months and they were lovely and quiet (I have three). Then i went on holiday and they had a week with Penguinmad and they have come back really noisy!

 

I keep opening the door and shouting "shhhhhh".

 

 

Michelle

[C&T]

Ours recently became noisy early in the morning (5.30 / 6am).

 

Even if the neighbours ddn't mind, I did!

 

So they are now shut up in their coop (where we had left the door open previously) and the door opened about 7 / 7.30.

 

They are now (pretty much) quiet up until that point, then they stuff their heads in their food so keeps them quiet till about 8. At 8 we might get a little boking - but by that time I figure it is socially acceptable!

 

They tend to be quiet during the day - unless something scares them - and their run is covered, so that may make a difference.

 

Good Luck!

[rachelg]

Your tips worked thank you very much!! Last night I covered the run with old bed sheets to keep the 5am light out, and shut the door. It was still lovely and quiet at 7.30, and when I let them out they were a little bewildered but soon stuck their heads in their food!

 

I think it was about 8.15 when I heard them first, which as you say is totally acceptable!!

 

Thank you again from a very happy chicken owner!

 

 

 

Sam

 

Ella

[Guest]

Your tips worked thank you very much!! Last night I covered the run with old bed sheets to keep the 5am light out, and shut the door. It was still lovely and quiet at 7.30, and when I let them out they were a little bewildered but soon stuck their heads in their food!

 

I think it was about 8.15 when I heard them first, which as you say is totally acceptable!!

 

Thank you again from a very happy chicken owner!

 

 

 

Sam

 

Ella

HI I am new to chicken keeping but there is a lot of wildlife activity going on at the moment with birds nesting etc(even if u do live in build up area) possibley they can hear all the noise with people having windows open too)

Dont worry about ur neighbours...obviously they have time to be snooping on u out if their windows...

Dogs..and cats pooping in the garden are far worse than chickens!

Enjoy them

indie

[urbanchick]

I have replied to another thread about this. I will copy/paste what I put in that thread:

 

The solution I have finally found is VERY effective and has completely solved my noise problem. I use an olive green pvc coated tarpaulin (which is blackout) to cover the cube and run. I lock them up at night, cover them with the tarpaulin (use the bungee clips that come with the Omlet shade) and get up to let them out at 7.30. It works 100%

 

My girls can compete with a cockeral when they get going. I don't think people understand just how bad the noise is unless they've been through it themselves.

 

You can buy the tarpaulin at tarpaflex.co.uk or tapaulins-togo.co.uk. I bought the 3x3m which perfectly fits the cube plus extension.

 

It's worth sorting it out now as it's only going to get earlier!

[Little Chicken]

The solution I have finally found is VERY effective and has completely solved my noise problem. I use an olive green pvc coated tarpaulin (which is blackout) to cover the cube and run. I lock them up at night, cover them with the tarpaulin (use the bungee clips that come with the Omlet shade) and get up to let them out at 7.30. It works 100%

 

 

Yes, I have no chickens yet, but birds in general do stay quiet if they are in the dark. Glad it works!

[LaPoule]

The solution I have finally found is VERY effective and has completely solved my noise problem. I use an olive green pvc coated tarpaulin (which is blackout) to cover the cube and run. I lock them up at night, cover them with the tarpaulin (use the bungee clips that come with the Omlet shade) and get up to let them out at 7.30. It works 100%

Hi Urbanchick - I wondered if you have cut any sort of holes in the tarpaulin, to match up with the vents in the Cube? Would hate to suffocate them! Or is the tarp sufficiently breathable?

 

Thanks!