We are having a BIG problem with crowing hens. Sometimes one hen, sometimes two, sometimes all four going bananas simultaneously.
It's a very loud "bok-bok-bok-bok-bok-bok-BAA-CAAAWWW" on repeat, in their run, necks extended. Always in the morning at maddeningly unpredictable times... 4:45 5:50 6:30 7:15 8:02 etc. They're all just over a year old, looking good and laying well. The Americana is the worst offender (she's been a noisy/bossy/anxious A-type from day 1). But, the Cuckoo Marans and the RIR are almost as guilty with Rocky joining the party when it gets really fired up. There has been a minor power struggle btwn the Americana and the RIR. They are not laying or done laying when they crow. The sound they make for a predator is different (heard that when a large hawk landed on the fence one day).
We're in a pretty urban place with great neighbors — but the 4:45 crow-fest woke everyone up, and now that it's summer with windows open, they wake us up basically EVERY. DANG. MORNING.
We must be doing something wrong or didn't know hens were as bad as barking dogs in the yard. We are prepared to rehome and reduce the flock; reconfigure the run; tape their beaks shut; ANYTHING except getting a rooster or pass out earplugs with cartons of eggs.
Any advice out there???
It's a very loud "bok-bok-bok-bok-bok-bok-BAA-CAAAWWW" on repeat, in their run, necks extended. Always in the morning at maddeningly unpredictable times... 4:45 5:50 6:30 7:15 8:02 etc. They're all just over a year old, looking good and laying well. The Americana is the worst offender (she's been a noisy/bossy/anxious A-type from day 1). But, the Cuckoo Marans and the RIR are almost as guilty with Rocky joining the party when it gets really fired up. There has been a minor power struggle btwn the Americana and the RIR. They are not laying or done laying when they crow. The sound they make for a predator is different (heard that when a large hawk landed on the fence one day).
We're in a pretty urban place with great neighbors — but the 4:45 crow-fest woke everyone up, and now that it's summer with windows open, they wake us up basically EVERY. DANG. MORNING.
We must be doing something wrong or didn't know hens were as bad as barking dogs in the yard. We are prepared to rehome and reduce the flock; reconfigure the run; tape their beaks shut; ANYTHING except getting a rooster or pass out earplugs with cartons of eggs.
Any advice out there???