Crowing hen -- in a residential neighborhood!

Hi everyone!

So, my dilemma is this: for the last few days, one of my three silver-laced wyandottes has taken up the early morning habit of attempting to crow like a rooter. It sounds mangled and kind of terrible, to be quite honest, but good on her for giving it a good ol' try. The problem is, #1 it's waking me up at 6AM each day (unappreciated alarm clock), and #2 I live in a residential area where we are not allowed to keep roosters. Has anyone had this problem in a similar situation, and is there a solution other than eventually having the rehome the hen? I've had her for a year and a half and am quite attached, but I don't want my neighbors to complain, either. Advice would be great! Will she keep doing this forever? Is there a way to coax her to stop?

Thanks!

Can you cover the windows and make her wait for a "later sunrise" to start to crow.

It sounds very unususal, are you sure its not a he?

I've had two hens crow. The first was a GLW, like yours it was mangled sounding. Thankfully it was intermittant. Never caused a problem. Had her for years.
The second was a RIR. She got scary good really fast. Sounded very much like a roo.

Hate to say it, but both would crow in the dark. Hope she stops or slows down.
You might want to talk to the neighbors, before it gets blown out of proportion.

Good luck,

Imp

When a rooster is not around, sometimes a hen will step up and take the position as leader, to one degree or another. Mounting other hens, calling when food is found, attempting to crow, and other rooster behaviors. Your best bet is to see if you can replace her, because she will likely retain this position and way of being.

This is the first time I've had a rooster-less flock, and the 2nd time I've gotten a leader hen. I sold the last one and her 2nd in command because they were SO mean on top of it all. The new leader quit laying, started new behavior (like calling the others for food, creating nests and showing the others, but failing to lay herself) She also watches for hawks, sounds the alarm, beats up the ducks and any other hen that gets in her face. She hasn't laid an egg in over a month and she's not molting at all. Perfectly fine... just acting like the rooster. No fake crowing though, luckily.

It won't happen in every roosterless flock, if it does it can vary in severity. They're a group species though, and someone needs to be in charge. Some hens just take the job more seriously than others.

I threatened a stew pot on the next crow and mine never did it after that. It's a true story! Maybe she just needs a friendly reminder that she needs to shhhhh.

With my flock it is my Chauga duck that is in charge. I believe I have 3 young roosters but they don't let out a peep. She is the one that wakes us up in the morning. She is the one that calls alarm. I don't think my boys want to attract any attention but I will have to wait and see. Can't keep a crowing rooster but none of the neighbors seem to mind the loud duck.