FoxFighters Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Anyone got any ideas? When my goes to lay an egg, the after a while starts to squawk loudly for a few mins!!! As they are getting up and about earlier now the mornings are lighter, is going in to lay earlier and therefore starts the squawking earlier!!!!! Not too bad during the week if neighbours have gone to work but this morning it started at 7am!! Not the end of the world but we have a young couple who's bedroom is nearest to the squawking, and they are the ones who WILL complain soon I hope not! We're going away at the end of June and so will have door left open for ease of Grandparent babysitters. I don't want them up at 4am with the sun and squawking by 6!!!!! Is lonely? She doesn't go in to lay her egg for at least 30mins after comes out, so I don't think it's some kind of protest?????? I would appreciate any advice/ideas on the matter!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrie Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 One of mine hates being on her own when the others lay, she makes a terrible racket, she isn't top chuck so I think she just doesn't like being alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I think it's a seperation anxiety issue too. Do you have things in the run to divert their attention? If not maybe you could try that, some hanging treats, perches at different heights etc. Or when one goes in to lay, lavish attention on the solo hen and give her some treats, then maybe she will associate being on her own as not such a bad thing after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 The queen bee always hates being on her own in our case. I tend to try and keep her company or leave the back door open so that she can see me. Not much fun in winter though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Nothing for it then - you will have to get a couple more so she's never alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxFighters Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Thanks guys! Stupid bird only has to poke her head into the Eglu to see her mate!!! Fairly sure squawker isn't the dominant chook. Shes lonely seems to be the answer, thanks again all you clever people!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Or..... just a thought..... does she want to lay at the same time and is protesting that her mate is in the nestbox? I know you said that she goes in to lay about 30 mins later, but I thought I would mention this as I had a similar problem last summer when one chook would make an awful racket when she couldn't get in the nest box and I ended up putting a ceramic oven dish on the eglu run bars as a makeshift nestbox and then she was OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
