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Does the 'Egg Song' have other meanings?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Chotii, Oct 29, 2009.

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  1. Oct 29, 2009 #1
    Chotii

    Chotii Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I introduced a new hen to my little flock of 2 today, to replace the one that died.

    One of the two originals has been going "BuGAWK! BuGAWK" ever since. For hours. Even after sundown.

    Is it an intimidation thing? I can't think of another purpose.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2009
  3. Oct 29, 2009 #2
    PunkinPeep

    PunkinPeep Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I used to have one who would do the egg sons whenever the cat came around. It certainly scared the cat away. He couldn't stand it! [​IMG]

    But she also did it as kind of an alarm....well, maybe she was being intimidating, but i took it as an alarm.
     
  5. Oct 29, 2009 #3
    Chotii

    Chotii Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jun 14, 2009
    Seattle area (Kirkland)
    I've wondered about the 'alarm' also. But she's been at this for about 5-6 hours straight now. How alarming can a new chicken BE???
     
  7. Oct 29, 2009 #4
    pixie74943

    pixie74943 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 25, 2009
    Adelaide, Australia
    My birds dont sing the egg song.. but they sing something that sounds like the egg song whenever they lose each other. Very odd.
     
  9. Oct 29, 2009 #5
    PunkinPeep

    PunkinPeep Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Mar 31, 2009
    SouthEast Texas
    very funny post, by the way. made me giggle.

    6 hours is a really long time. i think my main concern now is that she's going to make herself hoarse or weak. Have you tried going in and showing her somehow that the new girl is ok? i think that's what i might try.
     
  11. Oct 29, 2009 #6
    SallyF

    SallyF Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Mine do the bugawks as an alarm. Maybe she thinks the new hen is an intruder. She'll get used to it eventually and shut up; at least I hope so for your sake!
     
  13. Oct 30, 2009 #7
    rainbowgardens

    rainbowgardens Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Nov 19, 2008
    Central Virginia
    When a hawk or a strange cat comes around my girls do the call as a warning. You can see their neck feathers raised and their necks stretched out as they look around. When one sounds the alarm, they all go into "red alert" mode and start doing the call as well.
    When one does the call because she can't find the group, or she's just laid an egg, the rest remain calm and are not concerned.
    They can tell a difference in the call, but I can't. It's the raised feathers that tell me something's wrong.
     
  15. Oct 30, 2009 #8
    newchicksnducks

    newchicksnducks Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 19, 2009
    Richfield, Summit Co.,Ohio
    I would think it is in response to the new girl. The loud one is trying to make her place in the flock known to the new girl. My EE went on and on before,during, and after her 1st egg (for several hours!)Then she "purred" for several hours after that (I swear she was telling the other non-layers what they were in for when their time came!) Then she was pretty quiet for the next several weeks. The next time I heard her "song" was when another hen was nesting and laying her first egg...even though the new layer was quiet. I guess the first hen was upset she was no longer the "special" bird![​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2009
  17. Oct 30, 2009 #9
    EngieKisses

    EngieKisses Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Collinsville, Oklahoma
    My roo makes that noise when there is an intruder, and as soon as he starts all his ladies run for the coop. It is rather cute!
     
  19. Oct 30, 2009 #10
    Auzichicken

    Auzichicken Out Of The Brooder

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    Jul 9, 2009
    Halifax, pa
    What does the egg song sound like?
     
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