Chickens making purring sounds?

[chrisjarrett]

I heard this for the first time today too, so had to look it up here. It's a beautiful, warm sunny day in western Michigan and I'm working in the backyard while our chickens are happily roaming around the yard and several are rolling in the dirt. I heard the "purring" sound from the ones taking the dirt baths. And that's the only way to describe it - it sounds like a cat purring and certainly means the same thing. These are some fat and happy chickens. This is our first year with chickens and we know their different squawks pretty well (danger, get out of my way, I just laid an egg, etc) but this was a new one to me. Neat to hear that they do this.

 

[Ozchick222]

I'm knew to having chickens as well and have wondered about this 'purring' noise. Mine make it when they are content/happy. For example, it has been up round 38 degrees Celsius & when I hose the lawn and 'their' bit of garden, they purr when they dirt bath. I'm guessing it's cos it helps cool them down = happy

 

[tlshaw2000]

One of my ib does this in the nesting box with her head down low. She seems very happy no content.

 

[ehunter]

I noticed two of my girls purring back and forth, but it was when they were both on high alert after seeing something fly overhead. I took it as the "don't eat me" purr! (Fortunately for them, their run is fully enclosed with hardware cloth.)

 

[Zerlog]

I noticed two of my girls purring back and forth, but it was when they were both on high alert after seeing something fly overhead. I took it as the "don't eat me" purr! (Fortunately for them, their run is fully enclosed with hardware cloth.)

Mine do that too sometimes when an airplane flies overhead. They cock their heads, freeze, and make that sound. I find it pretty funny!

 

[ehunter]

Mine do that too sometimes when an airplane flies overhead. They cock their heads, freeze, and make that sound. I find it pretty funny!

I hear ya! Now that mine are out of their cheeping stage and making more big girl sounds they're super entertaining! Crack me up lots!

 

[XxCindyxX]

I have two chickens, mine purrs when I cuddle and pet her, its so cute. But It's only in my one.. I guess the other one is just not as happy? Who knows...

 

[tfalls3]

I have a barred rock hen who makes a growling sound when she doesn't want to share her catch. She's the youngest and smallest of the 4 but she's got little dog syndrome.

 

[dehowery]

Well, I am new to having chickens and have two questions. First, my chickens make purring sounds like a cat. Can anyone tell me what that means. Second, every night when my chickens go to bed, they struggle to find a spot to roost. They step, walk, and lay on each other, they fall off and jump back on and disrupt the rest of the chickens, it looks and sounds like it hurts. Is this normal and is there some way to stop this?

 

[dehowery]

Well, I am new to having chickens and have two questions. First, my chickens make purring sounds like a cat. Can anyone tell me what that means. Second, every night when my chickens go to bed, they struggle to find a spot to roost. They step, walk, and lay on each other, they fall off and jump back on and disrupt the rest of the chickens, it looks and sounds like it hurts. Is this normal and is there some way to stop this?

Mine make this sound when they are worried and stand straight up looking all around "danger" only 2 of the 5 girls make it.