Chicken bald back

[sapphitweet]

I have had a hen (no idea which one of course) crow in the night twice this year at about 2am ish. I got up this time to see if I could see anything it was dark but I saw no movement by their locked gate. I have had it happen when I have had them locked in with the winter jacket on the eglu and another last night when I was woken. She makes about 10 crows then ceases. It doesn't sound like a distress call and it's only one hen. Last night I half opened the eglu door as they seem to want this now summer is here. They are locked in an extended eglu run with unbreakable metal clips so nothing could get in. I have had badgers in the past but they never bothered my hens. Never ever had fox problems here and neither have my neighbours who also keep hens. Do chickens dream?

[Beantree]

Do chickens dream? No idea Sapphitweet. They rarely sleep in my experience, just slow right down but are still aware of their surroundings even with their eyes shut. Suppose that is to remain alert for predators.

 

Crowing hens are unusual; certainly at 2.00am! Is anything disturbing them around that time, like a neighbour going to work?

[Cat tails]

Might it be an egg call instead? No eggs in the morning?

[mullethunter]

I have had one making a very odd crowing type of noise just before daylight. Once in winter and once in spring. The first time I actually thought the noise was a fox, and as the noise stopped before I got out (and the girls were then just being normal) I continued to think that...until I heard it again. When I got there this time one of the Wyandotte bantams was on a perch making the noise - she was in a sort of trance - it was very odd.