Usually, the chicken higher up in the pecking order will be more vocal than others. A good 10-50% of your chickens can be louder than the rest. It’s important to remember that almost no chicken is quiet. Keeping them comfortable, especially in weather that’s hot or cold, will also help egg production and reduce the noise. Of course, this depends on the breed and individual hen. Usually, this also means being less confused and anxious overall. They’ll often get quieter after their first month of laying. While young hens can be especially noisy in their first month of laying, they’ll become quieter as they mature and get settled in the pecking order.Īfter they figure out what to do during laying and settle in their rank in the pecking order, most hens will mellow over time. Without it, they wouldn’t be able to warn each other or you of predators. Here’s why.Ĭhickens shouldn’t be stopped from making noise as it’s their main form of communication. So, how could you stop your chickens from being so noisy? Well, it’s a bit tricky. It can get frustrating to constantly be woken up early or have your neighbors persistently complain about your chickens.
CHICKEN SOUNDS HOW TO
How to Stop Your Chickens From Being Noisy Lastly, if you slept in and are running late to let your chickens out, you can bet that they’ll give you an ear-full. However, much of the excitement and clucking in the mornings either comes from the expectation of food or the start of egg-laying and cluck in a way that many owners describe as the “egg-song”. Additionally, chickens can get rowdy when they don’t get let out of their coop first thing in the morning.īelieve it or not, a hen’s social chatter is louder in the morning, and it’s usually interpreted by many homesteaders as a “good morning” to the other hens and to their caretaker. Hens will also often lay their eggs in the morning and sing an “egg-song”. So, why are chickens so noisy in the morning?Ĭhickens start making noise at dawn, and this usually includes a type of “good morning” to each other and excitement for their breakfast. Unfortunately for you and your neighbors, this is the most annoying time as it’s usually well before sunrise. Usually, the loudest a chicken coop will be is in the early morning. Why Your Chickens Are So Noisy in the Morning However, you might get the occasional problematic hen that makes loud and high-pitched calls. The overall consensus from many chicken owners is that a chicken’s noise level is fairly noisy, but nowhere near a barking dog. This is why most urban and suburban areas ban them (some allow them, but you need a permit). The rooster’s infamous crow at 4am is one way it establishes its territory. If the hen is forced to take a new nesting spot because of you or competition from other hens, they can stay vocal for a while until they become comfortable again.īut compared to hens, roosters make far more noise. The agitation comes from their urge to lay an egg, but lacking access to their nest or a comfortable environment. However, if their nest is being used or blocked, either by other hens or something else, they’ll become very vocal and complain. After about a month or so of adjusting, most hens will quiet down. During these times, they can be louder than normal. When hens are younger, they’re still getting used to things such as their standing in the pecking order and laying eggs. Fortunately, they’re not as loud as a barking dog, so most neighbors don’t complain about the noise. While some breeds are quieter than others, anywhere from 10-50% of your chickens will be fairly loud. Let’s take a further look.Īlmost all backyard chickens will be noisy, especially when they’re laying eggs or spot a predator nearby. The good news is that chickens aren’t usually as noisy as you might think.
The bad news is that they might say something about your chickens and their clucking. If you’re not out in the country, you probably have some neighbors within earshot. Looking for a gardening and homesteading community? Join me and 14,000 others on Abundance Plus and get a private community, discounts, masterclasses, and much more.