Anyone speak chicken? What is she trying to tell me...?

[Holly_Rae]

Came to see the girls this morning and Blue seemed really spooked, scratching at the sides of their enclosure, not very happy at all...Any idea what she is trying to tell me?

(Couldn't figure out how to upload the video so have uploaded to instagram and copied link)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsnRIIbFyvW/

 

[Shadrach]

I think she's looking for a nest site to lay an egg in and that call could is a call for a rooster to escort her.
It doesn't seem to matter if there is a rooster in the flock or not.
It's not the general alarm call or the predator warning call.
This link explains the escort call.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/
If you follow her and she goes to lay an egg then I would say it's definitely an escort call.
Hens will also make this call when they are separated from the flock.
See what you think after reading the article.

 

[centrarchid]

The call is less obvious when a rooster is in attendance. Hens in harems may not even be audible. The layer groups is where I here it the most and from greatest distance.

 

[aart]

Came to see the girls this morning and Blue seemed really spooked, scratching at the sides of their enclosure, not very happy at all...Any idea what she is trying to tell me?

(Couldn't figure out how to upload the video so have uploaded to instagram and copied link)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsnRIIbFyvW/

How old is she?
Do you have nests set up?

 

[Holly_Rae]

Thank you all. The girls are about 9 months old and only a few have been laying. I hadn't seen Blue showing any signs of laying yet so maybe she is ready. We have nest boxes but we have just moved them as we had mice getting in.
We do also have a cockerel in with them but he has only just realised he is a cockerel and showing signs of maturation within the last couple of weeks so I don't think he's ready to be escorting her anywhere. We do have a cockerel next door though which I noticed she was showing interest in so that all seems to make sense...(see photo - still no idea how to upload videos...???)
I will show her where the nest boxes are tomorrow.

If she is interested in the cockerel next door, do you think she will always be trying to get near him? Should I move her into his flock?

ps. is it normal for a cockerel to make himself comfortable in a nest box?!?

 

[Shadrach]

ps. is it normal for a cockerel to make himself comfortable in a nest box?!?

Yes it is normal. He's suggesting that this is a good place to lay an egg and it may be to that hen you showed earlier. She may be trying to check out the nest he is in and calling him in the process.