Chicken distress call - unlike anything I've ever heard

[Beck1989]

Hi all!

A few nights ago, we lost a chicken to a raccoon Our fault, as we didn't get home at a reasonable hour and forgot to close them in ... well since then, I've been very paranoid about our ladies.

Last night I woke up and heard strange noises. In my dream-state, it sounded like babies crying. When I woke up it sounded closer to a peacock call, except started higher then went lower.

We ran outside and made loud noises to get anything that was harassing our birds to leave! I didn't see anything run out, but it was dark. The chickens were closed in their pen, my only thought is that it could have been a small opossum or rat trying to get eggs?

Has anyone heard this kind of call before?

Thx!

 

[JackE]

I know a rabbit sounds exactly like a human infant, when a predator gets a hold of it. That's probably what you heard, an unlucky rabbit caught by a fox, or some other pred.

 

[Beck1989]

Thanks for your response! We don't have any rabbits, though. I did fail to mention that our birds were definitely disturbed - up off their roost, in the coop, moving around. An egg had been crushed, too. I believe something was trying to get in or actually did get in the coop. My question is, has anyone heard chickens make this kind of distress call before? Thanks!

 

[JackE]

I didn't think you did have rabbits. I was thinking more toward a wild rabbit. I've never heard my birds make a sound like you describe.

 

[Fix14wd]

Bobcat? I heard one scream like a little kid/baby once while hunting. Gave me goosebumps. Wasn't sure what it was, then it stepped out from the bushes. Any way/where to look for footprints? You won't see claw marks as they're retractable if it's a cat.

 

[NEChickenNoob]

Vixen fox make a pretty harrowing sound as well. If you think something got in, you should be immediately investigating how and how to prevent it. If something was trying to get it, that could have easily disturbed your chickens. Additionally, consider a game cam. I have a good friend who was losing guineas during the day and he thought it was coyotes...turns out it was a bobcat. It had also gotten a hold of his dog a month earlier and we didn't know it was a bobcat and were concerned a pack may have been around. You really must know your predator to get rid of it.

 

[chkn]

I've gone out looking for a chicken in distress at night. I eventually figured out it was an owl. It wasn't your usual hooty hoot sound. It's another sound completely different. I believe it is something they do to stir up game.

 

[theoldchick]

I've got a screech owl that will scare the starch out of your panties that likes to visit the coop when the weather turns cool.

 

[Beck1989]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I live in city-limits, so the chances of a bobcat or fox or other large predators are pretty much ruled out. Never seen or heard an owl before, either. I'm almost certain it was my birds making these noises. Maybe I need to just move on, but their cooing cries of distress were slightly haunting.

 

[NEChickenNoob]

Well if you want to know, game cam. If not move on like you say.