A "new parent" question - SCREACHING

[chickinlickin]

This feels like when we first had kids ...everytime one of them would have a fart crossways, we'd call our parents to make sure everything was ok...

I've got a 20 week old pullet just starting to lay. This morning while on the nest she starts screaching like a hawk..I went in to check on her, and she's just sitting there calm as can be. Then 5 minutes later another screach!....then another ...for the last 20 minutes or so....she doesn't seem distressed or anything. She is a rather flighty bird, a mutt from a barred rock roo and ancona hen...

This is the first time I've heard it.....is it anything to worry about?

 

[lotzahenz]

It is normal, they can be very very vocal while laying an egg. Especially a pullet. Think..................first time..............ouch. Ignore her if you can. She will likely make a huge fuss after too, the "I'm so prouid" chant. HenZ

 

[chickinlickin]

Thanks for the reassurance lotzahenz -

She has been laying for about a week or so (along with 1 or 2 others).. this is probably her 3rd or 4th egg - and she is loud afterward, but I've never heard this before. I was outside and almost spilled my coffee the first time she did it!

 

[MIChicken]

I heard that for the first time yesterday. I was sitting inside next to an open window and I heard what I thought was canadian geese flying over. When I realized it was not getting further away, I ran out and it was my pullet that has just started laying. She was screaching but when she saw me shed quieted right down. I hope she doesn't think she can call me out of the house like that??

 

[chickinlickin]

Just went out to check on her and she was just coming out of the coop clucking and bawking like crazy......

What a show off.....

 

[Happy Chooks]

My light brahma will screech at any other chicken that dares to come into the coop while she's on the nest.

 

[ranchhand]

My whole flock gets in on it- what a racket! And the roos always act like they did all the work!

Congratulations on the first egg!

 

[KDbeads]

My mutt hen sounds like she's being killed when she lays! Screeching at the top of her lungs for a whole minute, gets old it does

 

[flymamma]

My RIR's have been screaching and squacking for weeks ! Finally while I was gone today one of the girls laid an egg ... my poor neighbors I am sure she had quite a song to sing when she was done !