Chicken Communication

[Why and Dotte]

So I know chickens make a lot of noises for a lot of reasons, but I heard one the other day that I had never heard used like this. One hen started to growl, then another then they were all growling at the same time, I was almost afraid

they were just standing there eating then one at a time they started it.
Is it a warning to predators or something? Just when you think you've heard it all from them they suprise you with something else.

 

[gritsar]

Growling is a predator warning. Kinda "there's something amiss and we need to pay close attention".
ETA: We had a hawk visit one day and my roo corraled the girls into a clump of trees where nothing could get at them. My roo was watchful but silent. All 13 hens were growling in unison.

 

[Why and Dotte]

I've heard them make noises when a hawk flys over or a dog was nearby but this was totally different much louder and deeper almost like an angry cat, I guess my hens had never done it before when I was around, a total of 5 years having chickens so far and I've never heard that one, lol.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Mine growl long and loud when they want me to let them out, or something is wrong with their feeder, or they want a treat, etc. They will even tremble their cries, like the warbling vibrato of an angry baby's trembling screams. That's really annoying and the worst growling only happens when they are locked in the run. Sometimes it's more like barking and growling. They ALL join in, but some of them are much better at it.

I've heard cat-like screams from a hen on the nest, who doesn't want any other hens near her while she lays her egg. She'll do a high-pitched scream, ruffle up her feathers, and arch her back.

Sometimes, when they are free-ranging, some of them will begin moaning. I think it's mostly because someone needs to lay an egg. It's not as obnoxious as the "locked in the run" growling; it's more like a moan or a whine.

We have raccoons around here. When my hens alert to a raccoon in the yard, or on the fence, or when they see an eagle or even when the neighbor's cat comes by, one or more of them will do a sharp-sounding bark, like "BAWK", followed by several low "bawks". I always RUN to see what's up when that happens.

 

[gryeyes]

One of my hens "honks" - almost like a quick barking sound.

This is always behind my back, so I never know which one of them does it. Or why. It's not expressed very often, but I am SURE it means something... and possibly something rude.