A rude awakening - Please advise

[daddyofbob]

Hi all from the UK. About an hour ago at 5am we got a rude awakening when one of our new girls (ex-barn/batt hen) started squawking very loudly. I have since locked her back in the roost with our other broody hen and all seems quite. There inner run is very secure, so we were hoping that leaving the door open that they would be able to get up when they like. This has worked well the last few days, but not this morning.

Is this just part of the 'settling in phase' or do I need to now lock them in the roost until a much less perverse time of morning, say 7am before letting them out?

One very tired and grumpy new poultry keeper...

 

[Judy]

The noise often starts at 3 AM around here. It's a lot easier to accustom yourself to their noises than to try to keep them quiet. I never notice any more, if I am asleep, unless they sound distressed, like a predator is at hand.

 

[HEChicken]

Hens can be pretty noisy in the morning, I'm sorry to tell you. I have several who will wander around making a racket up until they lay their egg and then for the rest of the day they are quiet. Maybe labor pains? Who knows. Others you will almost never hear from. It sounds like maybe you got one of the noisier hens. As the PP said, the noise doesn't bother me at all and if you give yourself a little time to grow used to it, you might find it is the same for you.

 

[devora]

Hello UK!

Chickens make a ton of noise, some, of course, more than others. But you say she's "new" so don't give up hope Oh Sleepy One, she may just be working out the kinks.

And if that doesn't work lock her tail in that coop and sleep 'til noon.