Do chickens sing the egg song for other chickens?

[thecatumbrella]

My last pullet is about the start laying (she's been going in and out of the box for two days), and every time she goes in her sister starts up the egg song from outside. She never sings for herself when she lays.

Can they sense another chicken needs to lay an egg?

Is it not an egg song? I feel like the predator alert call, egg song, and don't leave me alone squawks all sound the same. Maybe she doesn't like being abandoned in the run?

No idea what to think!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mine all sing for each other. It's pretty noisy at times lol.
Even my cockerel will join in.

 

[NanaK]

Sometimes when my hens all join in on the egg song they are much louder than my rooster crowing. Sometimes he joins in on the song.

I think they sing to encourage each other.

Sort of like...

Whistle while you work.

 

[GreenJay]

Couple of mine sing for almost everyone.

Pretty sure they do sense each other, I've watched them all go "freeze frame" at the same time, a couple will trill, and then one suddenly runs for the box, not sure what else that would be.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Yep, mine all sing. Thankfully I’ve only got 3 or the neighbors might kick me out!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I think they sing to encourage each other.

This is my husband's theory. I put on nice, relaxing piano music for the pullet that's trying to lay, then all you hear is "baKAAAAK!" over and over from outside the box.

But maybe it does help loosen that egg up!

 

[NanaK]

This is my husband's theory. I put on nice, relaxing piano music for the pullet that's trying to lay, then all you hear is "baKAAAAK!" over and over from outside the box.

But maybe it does help loosen that egg up!

I have "oldies" playing in my greenhouse next to the coop most of the time. I figure good music helps me relax and maybe does the same for them.

Or maybe it just makes them sing louder!

 

[RadEggs]

Mine don't sing, but my barred rock HOWLS. Like awfull dino sounds.

She is always trying to boss me around too.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I've read it's actually an escort call.
Excellent article here by Shadrach explaining it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-egg-song-it’s-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

 

[thecatumbrella]

I've read it's actually an escort call.
Excellent article here by Shadrach explaining it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-egg-song-it’s-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

Ok, that it nuts. Might explain why she stops when either we (or her friend Mushroom) come back out.