Just saw this thread. Also looking at australorps. My city allows 3 backyard chickens but one neighbor already complained that he thinks chickens are noisy and messy and we don have one yet. He does have happy dogs. The coop would be by the other neighbor. I know they are not quiet but how do they compare to yapping dogs with their egg song? Louder or quieter? If they are louder than a dog bark we may have to rethink getting them.