distress before laying?

[cmeng]

Hello All,

I have a hens (18 weeks) who seem ready to start laying, from what I've been told. These are my first hens! A couple of them are making really loud "bok bok bickgock" sounds that I've told might precede laying -- but they're also making other sounds, that sound like distress sounds (they've never made them before in the18 weeks I've had them -- it's almost like the honking sound of a goose) -- is this a pre-egg laying thing or should I be on the lookout for some other issue?

Thanks!

 

[Darklingstorm]

OMG when my latest batch of pullets started laying, I wanted to duct tape their beaks shut for all the noise they were making especially my Delaware who is still constantly squawking.
Might want to check their nest boxes and make sure everything is in top shape. Do you have a fake egg in the nest? If not you might want to add one to show the noobs where to go.

 

[cmeng]

Thanks!! It turns out, she was REALLY in the throes of labor because she laid her first egg about an hour later. We were so excited and proud of her!

I've got golf balls in their laying boxes. Seems to be working well.

 

[NobscotFarmer]

Mine do that ALL the time. It's completely normal. I sometimes think that hens make more noise than roosters.