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

[wooky]

We've had our Omlet chooks a couple of days now and all seems to be going well apart from the fact our Miss Pepperpot is a complete squawker. My parents had chooks so am pretty used to their ways but I must admit I've never heard such a racket as this one. She's been bok-boking her head off since I let her into the run an hour and a half ago.

 

Do you think this just is a case of new surroundings, noises, neighbourhood cats, birds etc? I even tried throwing a blanket over the run but that didn't help.

 

We're close to neighbours and I'm sick with worry that I've made a mistake. Our little lady is SO noisy.

 

Any tips or suggestions welcome.

Edited May 19, 2009 by Guest

[Plum]

She'll settle but they can make a noise.

Mine made an awful racket at first if they saw a cat, a leaf, a bird fly over. They must be very protected where they are reared.

One of mine still squawks if someone else is in the nest box.

Best to ignore it. I worried a lot but my neighbours said they didn't hear them or weren't bothered about it. Just give out eggs occasionally when they start laying.

[wooky]

Thanks for the reassurance

 

I know I'm probably being paranoid. Our road leads to a primary school and so all the kids this morning will have heard the bok-boking. Maybe I should open the gate so they can see them!

 

Did any of you write notes or speak to your neighbours? I'm thinking maybe I should do that but my brother said I should just wait until they complain rather than alerting them to it

[Budgies]

My experience was similar to Plum's. Mango was always very noisy, it sounded as though we had 5 chickens, not 2!

 

She cried with alarm, cried when she was handled, cried when Chutney was on the nesting box, announced her eggs - for hours!!

 

In three years I only ever had one neighbour comment, and that was on a day when they both wanted the nesting box at the same time - before 6am and my neighbour works nights!

 

 

Most of the neighbours say things like "it's like being in the country" and "it's lovely to hear your girls chatting away".

 

Don't forget that a dog barking or a car alarm going off are both much louder noises and at least with a dog and a chicken they're noises from nature.

 

Definitely offer sweeteners of eggs when they arrive, and if you're that worried, chat to your neighbours now, explain that the girls are new and scared and that they will settle with time.

[Seagazer]

My Miss Pepperpot was really noisy in the beginning and very stroppy which is why my ES named her Butch. I have to say that she quietened down quite quickly though so try not to worry.

 

I find donating some eggs when they start laying, every now and again to the neighbours really helps.

[Scramble]

My little chickpea makes such a racket when she wants to come out

Who said Pekins were quiet and docile?

[brambles]

I've found that if I give my omlet girls some corn it distracts them from squawking - sometimes they even forget to get started again once they've finished the treat.

[wooky]

Just wanted to update - after a couple of initial days of noise our ladies have quietened right down. We've had a lovely first week with them and can't believe how tame they are. They absolutely adore my OH and follow him round as if he's a big rooster, are easy to pick up and are charming chooks.

 

Not the best of pics but they're happy

 

 

The question is... will they start being noisy again when they start laying and is it as loud as the 'BOK BOK' alarm call or more sedate?

[Budgies]

They're all different seemingly!

 

My girls used to announce an egg once laid and Mango who hated being alone in the run would shout for ages that Chutney was laying!

 

I visited another forum member who had 7 chickens and the girls were going in and out of the Eglus to lay whilst we were there, and not one of them made a sound!

 

So glad to hear they're settling nicely and you're enjoying them - I expect those first few days must be quite stressful for the poor dears, getting their bearings!