The Egg song, it’s not about the egg; it’s an escort call.

Sweet pickle juice!!! Great article with tested theory!! I learned something new.

I am a big believer in spending time with my flock, abserving moslty. I’m always in a constant need to learn more. Just today when one of my hens started making that sound they make when there ready and looking for a spot to lay, like a whiny almost honking noise, I remembered this article so I paid very close attention and soon enough there was my lead hen she’s always been very dominant always the “lookout” (replacement for my wounded Cornish x & my Silkie rooster who was keeping him company) she’s the rooster in this situation I saw the two run behind the shed, after some time I noticed the lead hen was back with the flock, and Rusty (hen trying to lay) was stil Behring the shed. Than we all heard it the buk-buk-bukaw sound the lead hen & I went running over and there was her egg, she was safely escorted back to the flock.

Great article! I had always assumed the hens we just having a little victory song after they laid, or possibly announcing to the other hens about their accomplishment! This makes much more sense. This also answers why sometimes the hens sing the song, and other times they don’t. Thank you for the information and the great read!

This certainly explains certain behaviors, however, Im curious as to why my girls still give the call while enclosed for the winter in a 12x9 coop with the rooster. Is it possible that my hens do not like my rooster? And if so, are they hoping to attract a different roo?

Great article and so fun to observe now that I understand what’s going on. Thank you!

I will definietly watch the flocks activities around this song after reading this great article

I always assumed it was something akin to human labor pain calls. But this instantly convinced me that an escort call is the only thing that makes sense. I vote this article of the year 2019!

Interesting look at the how and why a hen makes her "egg call," seems she's actually calling her rooster back because she's done laying and wants to be escorted back to the rest of the flock. Great post!

Wow i never realized

Thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts with us. I've seen my own roo escorting the girls back to the herd after they call. I found it sweet and romantic I honestly thought it was for protection and not about keeping other roosters away though. I never thought about it from that perspective.

I love that you experimented to prove your theory too. Great article Shad!

Helpful to know when hens start clicking at each other.

Very interesting! I've always wonderwondered about the egg call!

Interesting theory, Shadrach. Flock dynamics are a lot more complicated than most people realize.

Great insight and perception from a man who lives closely with his birds.

I found this article to make very clear step by step observations that led the author to their assumptions. The article is well written and raises awareness about natural chicken behavior.

Mind blown!

This is such an interesting theory! Some, but not all of my hens sing the egg song, but I don’t have a rooster.

Almost all (nine) of my hens hesitate before they cross our road (an unpaved easement, really). Bridgey will call at the edge of the road (a different song from the egg song) until I arrive and will accept me as an escort across the driveway/easement. Several of them will
silently (without a call) accept me as an escort. I would love to have a rooster some day to see how this behavior would shift. But I must admit, I love being their rooster. Thanks for Shari g your observations and theory!