Are chickens really noisy?

[AllynTal]

As others have said, they're usually fairly quiet, but can get loud when doing what people call the "egg song". Some of mine get very loud and very raucous and it'll go on for several minutes. Your neighbors will hear them. I definitely second the advice to check with your local laws and regulations. More than once, we've had members get attached to their flocks like pets only to have to rehome them all with only a few days' notice. If you're not allowed to have chickens, you're setting yourself up for some heartbreak by trying to sneak them.

My 7 girls have 3 identical nest boxes lined up in a row. However, they all prefer the first one. Some of my girls can be their loudest complaining that someone else is in the nest box they want to use!

Just as an aside note, if you put a fake egg in each of the other two boxes, it'll encourage the girls to use them. I find that the girls want to lay their eggs where another hen has laid hers. If a hen sees an egg in a box, she figures that box must be suitable. I have 24 hens and 5 next boxes. They were all trying to use whichever box the first hen laid an egg in that day and then squabbling when that box was occupied. I put a fake egg in each box and now they'll lay in whatever box is vacant.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you live in a subdivision, you can bet there is a 99% chance the bylaws/indentures disallow chickens.
If your neighbors don't complain, you may be OK flying under the radar. If you have a grouchy, disgruntled neighbor or one that doesn't like your family, you should plan now on a new home for your birds. I know lots of people that have spent a ton of time and money in court fighting subdivision rules only to have the court side with the board.
Subdivisions are a different entity than cities. In a city, you can mobilize the populace to urge the board of aldermen to change the ordinances to allow chickens.
I've done it in my city and have helped others in 9 neighboring cities. We failed in one of those.

Before you try to fly under the radar, know what is legal.
First, get and read the by-laws of your subdivision.
If you are within a city limits, get a copy of your ordinances. Study those for references to poultry/chickens.

 

[debid]

ITA with allyntal and chickencanoe.

I don't think that anyone can predict how noisy your chickens will be from your neighbor's perspective. Because, after all, that is the only one that counts if you're trying to keep chickens where they are prohibited. And even if you have neighbors who don't mind, there is no guarantee that they'll never move and sell to someone who does. Or, they may suddenly have a change of heart when they're upset over something unrelated or if the hens are noisier than they'd imagined.

 

[chickencheeper]

Chickens usually just make a low growling sound under their breath most of the time but they will squawk loudly if they get scared, they will all let out a loud song for a while after laying an egg. I love to see coop and chick pictures, can we see?

 

[lazy gardener]

It's guaranteed that your neighbors will hear them. The amount of noise a particular bird makes is an individual thing. However, they sometimes "feed off each other". If one hen starts singing the egg song, the others may join in, and try to harmonize. Only chickens can't sing! So... They end up trying to out "shout" each other. This can be a lengthy song, or it can be fairly short.

One thing you can do to help maximize your chances of "flying under the radar: Place your coop and run in a "private area" of your yard. Put privacy fencing around it, and plant some sort of barrier hedge around it to help absorb any sound they make.

You could make an attempt to get chickens legalized in your sub division. Are dogs allowed? If so, then, IMO it should be a short leap from allowing dogs, to allowing a few chickens. Chickens, after all are not noisier than dogs. And over a 24 hour period, most chickens make LESS noise than a lot of dogs. Study the ordinances pertaining to dogs in your neighborhood.

 

[Krazyquilts]

Chickens, after all are not noisier than dogs.

So very true! And while I dearly love my dogs, they don't lay me any eggs for breakfast!