Curious behavior to this newbie??

[Indiana feather]

Hello I am kind of new to raising chickens. We have three Rhode Island Red pullets that are almost 2 months old. Just in the past few days I've noticed them becoming much more vocal. Earlier today i watched one that at first made me think it had something stuck in its beak. It opened its mouth wide and looked as if it was trying to crow but no sound came out. When I bought these chick from RK they were supposed to be hens. Do any of you know what this means or is it common for chickens to do this? Puzzled

 

[LanceTN]

Pullets go through a phase where they stop doing the baby peep peep and start clucking like a hen.

This may be what you are experiencing

 

[Indiana feather]

Pullets go through a phase where they stop doing the baby peep peep and start clucking like a hen.

This may be what you are experiencing

ok... thanks.. I really thought I was going to have to perform some kind a heimlick maneaver or something...My birds have also been darting around the coop and flapping their wings ... they're cute when they all huddle together and start to dust bathe and snuggle together etc... thats what they were doing when i noticed this. I'm guessing they are just happy. I made them a run to go into but so far they haven't stepped off the tread board. Having fun watching them though

 

[LanceTN]

They make all sorts of noises and are constantly communicating. It's good to spend some time with them to learn what means what.

I had one making strange noises and it turned out she was constipated.

 

[Indiana feather]

It seems like just a week ago they were still doing the peep peep and now they are cooing.. clucking and all kinds of sounds. I can't believe how entertaining they are... or maybe it doesn't take much to entertain me lol

Either way i'm learning and enjoying ...

 

[LanceTN]

I love just sitting down where the chickens are roaming about. They all climb on me and let me pet them. It's very relaxing.

So I completely understand

 

[azygous]

It's best to keep watch. It's possible the pullet you saw open its beak and no sound came out is having a problem with her crop. But its also possible she was merely adjusting the contents, which they all do on occasion.

Being a new chicken momma, like a new parent, everything out of the norm is cause for alarm. Granted, things do happen to chickens, but try to be confident you are caring for them well.

If your pullet is having crop problems, her poop will change. Believe it or not, cleaning a coop every morning will give you the opportunity to monitor your chickens' health because poop will often tell you that a health problem is arising and will often give you ample warning to do something about it.

When chickens' voices change, they often sound more like ducks before they perfect their adult voices. Some of my chicks have hung onto their "peeps", alternating them with adult clucking, depending on their emotional state which one they use. It's an interesting phase.

 

[Indiana feather]

It's best to keep watch. It's possible the pullet you saw open its beak and no sound came out is having a problem with her crop. But its also possible she was merely adjusting the contents, which they all do on occasion.

Being a new chicken momma, like a new parent, everything out of the norm is cause for alarm. Granted, things do happen to chickens, but try to be confident you are caring for them well.

If your pullet is having crop problems, her poop will change. Believe it or not, cleaning a coop every morning will give you the opportunity to monitor your chickens' health because poop will often tell you that a health problem is arising and will often give you ample warning to do something about it.

When chickens' voices change, they often sound more like ducks before they perfect their adult voices. Some of my chicks have hung onto their "peeps", alternating them with adult clucking, depending on their emotional state which one they use. It's an interesting phase.

I will keep an eye on things. i just started giving poultry grit here about 2 weeks ago. Is that something to be offered at all times or just every once in a while?

 

[LanceTN]

Do they get out and about allot? Chickens that get outside should get plenty of grit on their own.

 

[Indiana feather]

Do they get out and about allot? Chickens that get outside should get plenty of grit on their own.

I just built an outside run for my chicks and they've been out on the plank leading from the coop into the run but except for them bumping another chick off they've never ventured off the board yet. I think I will try throwing some feed out into the run to lure them out. They are still young but I am suprised they haven't wanted to get out more... although it has been rather rainy here lately