barking chicks?

hi. we're new to the chickens, and we have 12 young chicks. our bantam BLRW are almost 7 weeks, our welsummers are almost 3, and the rest (olive eggers, blue ameracaunas, and brabanters) are all almost 4 weeks. there is one we are fairly certain is a little roo, but the rest we aren't sure, as they are so young. anyway, today, one of them started making a barking noise randomly throughout the day. (they are currently living inside, until the coop is finished.) it took me ALL day to figure out that the noise was coming from a chick. and i still don't know which one is doing it. here's my question... is that what a rooster sounds like when he first starts his crow? (if so, he has to go ASAP... we can't have a rooster here in our neighborhood.) if this is the case, i need to find him a home. like, yesterday. if this is NOT the case, it would also be helpful to know... i've read that sometimes hens will make this noise? is it likely a health issue i need to keep an eye on? any help would be greatly appreciated.... thanks!!

in my experience, roosters don't start crowing so young. when they do, it doesn't sound like "barking". I would be looking at a possible health issue to explain the noise. perhaps one of them has something in their throat & doesn't have the necessary grit to process it.

best of luck

I would put the barker in quarenteen until you are sure he isn't sick with something

I have a 7 mos old too who isn't that large but he doesn't crow, he barks. Dont know his breed yet . Read about Indonesian laughing chickens today so I know some make strange sounds. Oh, my too seems fine, has just always barked.

thanks! i'm not sure which of the older 10 it is, but i added some grit to their feed this morning. they've been out enjoying the sun, so i haven't hear them today, but i'll listen for it when i bring them in.

When chickens sneeze it sometimes sounds like barking. I too would consider quarantining the one that is barking. And check it for signs of problems: clogged nostrils, closed eyes, rattling breath etc. Odd noises are generally not a good thing. Chickens, as a general rule are meant to act the same. When one acts oddly the others will tend to pick on it.

Let us know how it does.

If you can post pictures, we could help you determine sex.