Got a suggestion for super-quiet hens in a small-lot suburb?

[jermajay]

Silkies are quiet even there roosters are quiet crowers I have 8roo's and 48hens and my 3rd shift neighbor doesn't complain

I can hear my silkies from the middle of our 20 acre property. I would definitely NOT say they are quiet.

 

[Brooks_]

@that neighbor lady , I would like to thank you for being reasonable. Many non=chicken peeps have come here...ranted, and left. You, on the other hand, stated your concerns and listened then replied. Thank you.

I would not be surprised if one day you have chickens.

 

[Flockincrazy]

I can hear my silkies from the middle of our 20 acre property. I would definitely NOT say they are quiet.

Mine are quiet I guess I got good ones lol

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Living in close quarters means negotiations and compromises

Well then clearly a neighbor should get your permission to have a dog then right? A barking dog is louder than a few hens.

that's where code and laws come in.

Code laws should be objective, not subject to a neighbors veto.

 

[McChooky]

Have you ever heard a Japanese Coturnix Quail cock crow? It's more music than annoyance and it is NOT that loud. Before Covid, when I was able to purchase the correct feed, I had close to fifty quail, with one male per 6 to 8 hens. They are not THAT loud.

Nothing is music to the ears but quietness when trying to sleep during the day.

 

[McChooky]

The only thing I'd recommend your noisy neighbors raise are rabbits .

 

[knurse1]

Hello! I am that one neighbor lady who works nights and really just can't have a lot of noise next door. I've been in my house for 20 years and had lots of neighbors, including neighbors with dogs and young children, but never had a chronic noise problem before the current neighbors, who also want chickens.

The current neighbors have a sweet but extremely loud child -- think "sleep wearing noise-cancelling headphones with white noise playing and earplugs and they can still wake you up when backyard-shrieking next door." They're also not people who respond well to requests for...just...some stable quiet times. We have 1/8 acre lots -- my house is literally feet from theirs. If the guy is outside on his phone he's basically in my house, I can hear every word with the double-glazed windows closed.

We have a backyard chicken ordinance that currently requires all neighbors to give consent, and I think roosters are not allowed, hens only. I've no idea what the others have said, but given how the chicken-wanting neighbors respond to "please, please can I have some quiet sometimes," I'm not keen on making next door even noisier, so I've said no.

If there's a breed that's actually quiet -- remember, we're not out in the country, we're in a small metro city with small lots and thin walls -- think a 40' x 60' backyard, so basically a practically silent bird, actually silent would be ideal -- I'd say right on, do it, eggs and fertilizer are great. But they're not great enough to substitute for enough sleep and the ability to work.

There's some possibility the neighbor-consent rule will be brought up again soon here and I want to be prepared.

TIA for your suggestions --

I have Golden Comets and they're pretty quiet all the time..I have 10 of them.

 

[NaperLix]

My barred rocks have always been quiet while out.When under 1 year,though they may make a little noise to be let out Of coop.They come out no later 10 Am.
Mostly no one ever hears them.No one knows I have chickens,ten,though houses are not close together.An acre or more.
If a flock of crows comes,or a hawk,some will cluck,but not barred rock,they dive and hide.They are protected,never had a problem.
as long as you don’t have fighting,that is loud.
They have my vote.Healthiest,friendly,great layers of big eggs.

 

[imjustdelaney]

I haven't read all 5 pages of comments, but I'm here to add my 7 cents (inflation, you know). I'm the household that HAS the day sleeper. We also moved to our acreage from a neighborhood who had a neighbor with two pit-bull type dogs (the HOA said they couldn't have them, but never enforced) who barked our direction ALL. DAY. LONG. In addition, I have two kids--one who has autism, and the other is homeschooled. My husband (the day sleeper) sleeps with an eye bra for darkness, even though we have three layers of light-blocking window dressings; a sound machine on his phone that is SUPER loud; a floor hurricane-force fan that is on medium; and a ceiling fan. We have 20-something chickens right now that are about 50' away from the bedroom windows. 6 of them are Buff Orpingtons and the rest are Australorps. Our Buffs have made us want to butcher all of our Australorps! The Buffs are the sweetest, quietest hens and they are so low key. The Australorps are bickery, chatty, and rile each other up. Our rooster is also an Australorp and he feels the need to announce every egg that's laid throughout the day. My husband has had to learn to sleep with ambient noise (15-year sleep exhaustion and former military have taught him pretty well), but sometimes he just has to deal. He makes the best of it, partially because having his own fresh eggs every day is super amazing. I am sorry you have a neighbor like that, but it seems like those who can't relate only can care so much. I've been apologizing to my husband for the noise during the day for the last 10 years...

 

[nashua]

I don't think this is a noise problem per se, except maybe the screaming child---I think it is a problem caused by homes built too closely together.