Does anyone know how to "interpret" different noises your hens make?

[CaCO3]

There is a very distinctive trill when a hawk comes around and it's the signal for everyone to freeze and the chicks to hide and be silent. Surprise hawk flyovers get the BAWK!!! and everyone scatters.

 

[MischiefMakers]

My hens acted Exactly the same way if I don't give them the treats they're looking for!!!  My RIR would do this especially loudly, then gave me a "dirty" look and walked away from me immediately! She's a spoiled princess (as my husband called her).  And that is Very funny that yours know how to play tag!!!  You should share record it next time when you have a chance and we'd love to see her in action!!! It's so amazing how chickens are so adorable with very unique personalities!  I dreamt about chickens quite a bit!  Am I crazy?!

no, not crazy!!! Cuz that would mean I am too.

 

[missypebble]

There is a very distinctive trill when a hawk comes around and it's the signal for everyone to freeze and the chicks to hide and be silent. Surprise hawk flyovers get the BAWK!!! and everyone scatters.

I wonder if that's the distinct sound they make for hawk or just for any predator in general?

 

[CaCO3]

Yes. Probably a general predator trill. We just happen a lot of hawks here.

I wonder if that's the distinct sound they make for hawk or just for any predator in general?

 

[GertrudeLover01]

Did you have to train your dog to be gentle to your chickens?  I thought chickens naturally are afraid of dogs, but I guess sometimes under the right condition, they do feel comfortable!

I know you didn't ask me, but my dog just learned that they were important to me, so he more was like a rooster for them and he protected them. He's gone now though, so now nobody can protect them.

 

[MrsBachbach]

LOL. I was censored on my very first post here. Talk about embarrassing.

 

[MrsBachbach]

D@mn got censored on me too. I felt so.... Naughty.

LOL. I was censored on my very first post here.

Regarding the OP question, my dog knows chicken language better than I. I have run out to the pen many times thinking there was a predator when all it was, was a hen laid an egg. My LGD never bothered to get up and look. Well, one day I was brushing her on the back porch and we heard a ruckus up front. My dog jumped up and ran to the front. I wasn't far behind. Something had tried to grab one of the hens. A pile of feathers in the front yard was evidence and a missing hen (who later showed up with a bare back). My dog sniffed and looked but neither of us could see anything. Anyway, while I thought the ruckus was just another egg laying episode, my dog knew better. Now if I hear anything I just look to see what my dog is doing. If she isn't concerned, I know it's just the chickens clucking to each other.

 

[elliechooks]

They definitely have different noises for different predators. When I go in most of my hens run to me for treats but the mama with chicks tells them to hide and they take cover under bushes. Today I have heard noises a couple of times and gone to look finding mama standing with neck stretched upwards looking very alert and all of the chicks perched up high. I have no idea what they had seen but I would imagine probably rats.

 

[Fletch83]

LOL. I was censored on my very first post here.

Regarding the OP question, my dog knows chicken language better than I. I have run out to the pen many times thinking there was a predator when all it was, was a hen laid an egg. My LGD never bothered to get up and look. Well, one day I was brushing her on the back porch and we heard a ruckus up front. My dog jumped up and ran to the front. I wasn't far behind. Something had tried to grab one of the hens. A pile of feathers in the front yard was evidence and a missing hen (who later showed up with a bare back). My dog sniffed and looked but neither of us could see anything. Anyway, while I thought the ruckus was just another egg laying episode, my dog knew better. Now if I hear anything I just look to see what my dog is doing. If she isn't concerned, I know it's just the chickens clucking to each other.

Is that a Great Pyrenees?

 

[MrsBachbach]

Yes, she is. Full blood. I'm quite happy with her. Except in late spring when it comes time for that undercoat to come off. It takes weeks of brushing with a rake comb. They don't tolerate the summer heat too well with thick winter coat on.