Chicken purring

[TamaraW]

Hi chicky lovers, so my australorp pullets have only been with us for 2 weeks. They follow me around while I’m in the garden and they are free ranging. I picked one up inside their coop tonight and patted it: it started purring. I had a look online and it’s giving me conflicting info. Does that mean they are happy or annoyed? New chicken mum so not sure what the deal is.

Thanks, Tamara, South Australia

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Welcome to BYC!
if you managed to take a video, it would be helpful!

From my experience, they purr when they're happy or contented. Mine do it when dust-bathing and when i sit with them! I haven’t had any that purr when they’re annoyed, so i don’t think its that.

 

[K0k0shka]

Was it getting dark? Were they getting ready for bed? Chickens make a trilling noise similar to purring when they are preparing to go to sleep. Kind of like shushing each other to settle down, be quiet, and sleep.

 

[TamaraW]

Was it getting dark? Were they getting ready for bed? Chickens make a trilling noise similar to purring when they are preparing to go to sleep. Kind of like shushing each other to settle down, be quiet, and sleep.

Haha yes it was dusk when I was holding her. I scratch her head and neck and she started purring. Was a bit shocked at first. Like what is this?

 

[K0k0shka]

Haha yes it was dusk when I was holding her. I scratch her head and neck and she started purring. Was a bit shocked at first. Like what is this?

Yeah they do that when going to sleep it catches on like a sneeze - often one will start and others will pick up, and they'll kind of trill at each other for a while as they close their eyes and get comfy. They start doing it very young, and it's extra cute when it's a pile of little fluffs trilling at each other as they drift off to sleep.