Salop Chuck Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I have a very noisy 9 month old Light Sussex chicken, Connie, who regulary makes the most awful ,ear-piercing schreeching sounds. She is free-range in the garden and has the company of 4 bantams and two elderly 'Omlet' hybrids. Apart from one of the bantams, all the other hens quietly peck around the garden with just the occasional contented chucking noises. She was broody a two moths ago but is now back in lay. Does anyone know what this behaviour means and what I can do to stop it. She will stop temporarily when I go into the garden but then start up again when I go back into the house. Is this attention seeking???? Any advice would be most welcome. Distracted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavysqueak Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 Our two sit at the back gate and squeal - that's the only way I can describe the noises! They've got worse since my parents were here for a week - my mother kept going out to 'check' on them. We try to ignore them as we know that they are just attention seeking. Luckily we have understanding neighbours - although now we've just increased our flock they could get more annoyed! I would think that she's just attention seeking. Good luck, but she may keep doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 Our two sit at the back gate and squeal - that's the only way I can describe the noises! They've got worse since my parents were here for a week - my mother kept going out to 'check' on them. We try to ignore them as we know that they are just attention seeking. Luckily we have understanding neighbours - although now we've just increased our flock they could get more annoyed! I would think that she's just attention seeking. Good luck, but she may keep doing it. Thanks for your response. I think you are right about attention seeking. I am worried about neighbour complaints so I tend to go out in the garden to spend time with her. This usually works but not always. She tends to make this schreeching noise an hour before she enters the nest box to lay her egg. Also I think she is trying to take over as head hen beause my old gingernut ranger head girl is now too old and tired to maintain her position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 It sounds like attention seeking....especially if you are giving her bribes when you go out. I'd ignore her for a while, and especially, get her used to you being in the garden without giving her a hanndful of corn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 It sounds like attention seeking....especially if you are giving her bribes when you go out. I'd ignore her for a while, and especially, get her used to you being in the garden without giving her a hanndful of corn. Good advice - especially going into the garden without a handful of treats. Thankfully it is all quiet now as she is busy laying her egg. The silence is wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 One of my Silkie crosses is very noisy, If I'm outside with them 'shut up Coco' said firmly usually works. it is attention seeking though so I'd probably ignore it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
