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

[Porkypie]

I have posted about this before and have tried lots of things (suggestions on this forum that have worked for others) but still end up back at square one. I have run out of ideas and given in to the fact that I own a noisey chicken

 

Summary of 'problem':

Said chicken squarks very loudly when either of the other hens goes in to lay. This sound echoes around our back garden and as the others lay between 6-8 (and take their time doing so) this is an early wake up to anyone in close vicinity to us.

 

Here's what I've tried:

 

1. Originally there were two hens so we bought another and thought she could keep Nursie (aka Squarker) company whilst SJ goes to lay. Took a while for them to become friends but we kept but now, instead of one episode of squarking, there are two!!!

 

2. I have tried filling them up with lots of foder before bedtime and have fashioned a triple layer, fairly fitted tarpaulin cover for the house hoping to keep them in (the dark) until the laying has completed BUT, regardless of this the squarking commences at 7.05-7.20 (which is usually when the laying commences) and I end up running down to open their pop-hole. Then wait 5mins before the squarking commences. Run back out with water pistol and wait another few minutes and repeat process until I need to leave for work.

 

There are two nestboxes and the other two 'share' one so she can't be complaing about nestbox access. It doesn't seem to be egg announcement unless she likes to announce the egg laying of others but not herself. It almost seems like a distress response or warning call. Am I trying too hard to apply logic here??

 

Any ideas very welcome

 

I have four sets of neigbours to worry about - two sleep in the front of their house and the noise doesn't bother them. The other two I don't know but at least one sleeps in the back and they will certainly be being disturbed - I get woken every time and that's with double glazing (which they don't have)

 

Sorry about my rant. I don't want to have to give her away as she is the perfect little hen in every other way but I'm even dreaming about this sound and waking up in the middle of the night in a panic imagining I've heard her

[teri]

so sorry to hear about your troubles. one of my bigger girls was very noisey and this was "mentioned" by one of our neighbours we tried everything you have listed to no avail. we were just about to re-home/roast her when for no apparent reason she stopped and has been quiet ever since! we have no idea why she was making the noise even less as to why she suddenly stopped!

i hope your girl does settle down for you parting with them is really difficult

[carrie]

I can really sympathise, I have 2 very noisy chickens as well, we have tried allsorts too.

I do worry about the neighbours especially when we go away for 3 weeks and have chicken sitters, they live nearby, but not close enough to shut them up every time they start.

I have no other solutions, I have three nest boxes in 2 houses but they still all fight for the same one

[Faye&Ant]

What a stress that must be for you trying to get to work.I honestly can sympathise, I worried so much when we got our girls and the noise they made when they were laying. I can't count the number of posts on here about noise etc and the different ways of trying to hide it so unfortunately can't offer anything new. However, I can say from my own experience I dont worry as much anymore as I have grown to accept its just a different type of noise rather than a really loud one. I hear dogs bark alot more.

 

Have you tried just letting her get on with it for one day to see how long it goes on for and if she would quieten down on her own? We have a girl who boks if she is left on her own whilst the others are laying and its more of a security thing. I used to have to run out and sit with her until one of them had laid. I couldnt keep doing that so I just let her get on with it in the end and come inside where I cant hear her

 

Have you actually asked your neighbours if the noise bothers them? Also do your girls lay at the same time every day as my girls lay at all different times and therefore later in the day is more acceptable to make a noise.

 

Im sorry I cant be more helpful and I hope you resolve your problem without too much stress as it takes over from the enjoyment you get from them

[Egluntyne]

Someone recently was successful quietening her hens first thing by draping the Eglu with a couple of layers of black out curtaining.

 

Might be worth a try.

[chelsea]

You have my sympathies - noisy hen owner here aswell. My lot have been quiet as mice all day and then when people are viewing the empty house next door they decide to give a barber shop style chorus!!

 

You say the bokking starts at 7.20 am, can they be heard even from inside their house with the door shut?

 

My girls are covered over and door shut until an appropriate time, I would maybe suggest not going down and opening the door until a bit later.

 

We also have put an old inner from a dog basket flush on top of the cube roof - this is for extra soundproofing and we hope it absorbs some of the sound!!

[Patricia W]

Hi, I know about noisy chickens because I have a cockerel. Frankly, if I keep him quiet until after 7 I'm happy and so are the neighbours. He's been unsettled since we moved him to a cube but this morning it was 7.02 before he crowed so that's fine by me. I've been covering them with blackout material and feeding them up but the thing that seems to have worked this time is by lengthening his day. I noticed that the earlier he went to bed the earlier he woke up. So now I don't uncover them till after 8 and I keep them up till 8 ( but not tonight as it's so miserable!)

 

I would check with the neighbours because you may be worrying unnecessarily. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Plum]

One of mine does the squarking when the others go in to lay. I've found distracting her by hanging up lettuce keeps her occupied until one comes down to join her. Would this help.

[Porkypie]

You say the bokking starts at 7.20 am, can they be heard even from inside their house with the door shut?

 

I actually have a wooden hen house and the wood isn't very thick so it really doesn't contain the noise. If only I had a or ...

 

I have tired just leaving her but after 5minutes of continuous squarking which was getting louder by the minute I sucumbed. I am weak bcos that isn't very long but felt like a lifetime. I am going on holiday for a fortnight soon so that will put that to the test and she may thrash it out over that time. Either that or I'll return to complaints which may force my mind to be made up I just want to make sure I've tried my hardest.

 

Teri, you have given me some hope that she may 'grow out of it'

 

The next house I move to will have a long garden #1 on the wish list where my hens can make as much noise as they like.

 

I would check with the neighbours because you may be worrying unnecessarily. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

You are right. I'm scared to face up to 'bad news' but maybe if I go around and introduce myself as the local chicken lady armed with eggs they may be reasonable and put my mind at rest. I suppose at least I'll know one way or the other and can plan constructively any action I need to take.

 

One of mine does the squarking when the others go in to lay. I've found distracting her by hanging up lettuce keeps her occupied until one comes down to join her. Would this help.

 

Yes, I have tried lettuce and carrots which sometimes helps and sometimes doesn't as the hens in the nest box get wind of the treat and rush out to feed. Once they've chomped their way through it they dash back to further 'laying time' and the bok, bok, bokking commences again!!!! Argh

 

I really appreciate all your posts in reply It really helps think this all through.

[Plum]

Sorry to give you bad news but I have found the cube doesn't stop the noise. Mine can still make a right racket if the want me to let them out. The noise isn't nearly as bad when you find out that your neighbours aren't bothered.

[Redwing]

I read on here that someone used bags of compost as soundproofing (obviously don't cover vent holes)

 

Can you relocate the coop at all to a quieter spot? (sorry if you have already thought of this)

 

It wouldnt be pretty but maybe a buffer of pallets would help? three pallets in a 'windbreak' around the house facing sides of the coop

 

Moving the coop so that the big vents are away from the morning sun?

 

A shade over the doorway blocking out some light?

 

is your coop in a run? maybe clad over the wire on that end of the run with fence panels leaving one end plain wire?

 

clutching at straws here!

[Adams Egg]

I extended the blackout over the eglu run by about half a metre, that reduced the light coming through the door vents. Gave a dry bran mash an hour before they go to bed, now they have to be woken up before I go to work.

I did discover that they were responding to a neighbour moving about across the road and shutting a car door as they went to work at about 0600 each day but the evening feed and light reduction stopped that. Seems like they are just like children, training their parents, don't give up but change the routine!

[chickenanne]

I can't really help as mine are far enough away from neighbours for it not to matter (couple of miles). But I would agree with the idea of speaking with your neighbours over a box of eggs. You might find that they're not bothered by it, wither way I'm sure they'll appreciate knowing that you are trying to get the noise levels down!

Once the days get shorter it won't be as early, either so that could help re@ neighbours. Good luck!

[Jules.]

I'm in the same boat as you Petra roars her head off to come out of the run & free range- I've tried a water pistol, doesn't work. I just think I've got a bolshy, adorable chicken there.

 

She is to be rehomed soon, to go & live somewhere where her noise won't be too much.

 

I haven't had a complaint from the neighbours about her, but I can sense trouble brewing, & I don't want to upset anyone.

[Guest]

Hi

 

I have mine in a semi wir and cube

 

They started squawking and became unruly at 5.30am so I ignored them..didint work

 

left the door open to wir(something I said I would never do)

 

I now have it sorted.

 

After they go to bed about 9.30pm I sweep up the bark refil the food leave the open to wir.

 

But on the floor of the semi wir I throw out ie an apple or some sultanas or stale bit of bread end of cucumber.....basically anything that I have spare(not a lot just some treats for when they get up in the morning its waiting for them) and they keep quiet! I dont hear them at all

 

Initially I thought a fox was disturbing them but the few treats seem to work wonders

 

good luck indie

[Chucky Mama]

Mine can be noisy and I really worried about our neighbours (only have them 1 side) being disturbed, they are good friends but I know they were a bit unsure about us keeping chickens. I used to cringe every morning when they were noisy. When I finally bit the bullet and asked them, they said that despite sleeping with their window open (all year) they didn't hear them, or at least if they did they didn't get disturbed by them. So, I was worrying unnecessarily. I know you don't want to hear bad news from your neighbours but even if the news is not good at least it shows your neighbours that you are being considerate and are aware that they could be causing a nuisance. It could stop them being grumpy about it if it is an issue. Good Luck!

[Happy chickens!]

Do talk to the neighbours - I was worried about the lady nearest the chickens, but she (and several others) all said like the noise and much much nicer than the barking dog another neighbour has - and she didn't even want any eggs! It was also nice to meet her as hadn't before - you often don't do you when it's a back garden neighbour.

 

Think of all the other annoying noises neigbours make - another one likes to go off on his motorbike early sometimes, a friend's neighbour has a teenage son with a drum kit - and the less said about the noise some wood pigeons make the better!! - and maybe you'll be able to relax and enjoy your girls again.

[Porkypie]

I was a bit of a 'chicken' this weekend and placed my noisey in a cardboard box in the garage for both Friday and Saturday nights Not a longterm solution but it did the trick. After a couple of days of noise-free mornings I feel a bit more relaxed and now plotting my next move...

 

I really appreciate all your replies It all helps.