hen racket at dawn

[joanr]

My hens are one year old and in excellent health. Very recently they have cackled very very loudly around dawn, 5:30 AM. There is no predator and no egg laying going on at that hour. They seem to just want out of the coop. As soon as I open the door they tear out and begin looking for insects etc. I live in a neighborhood and if this behavior continues through the summer I may have to abandon keeping chickens. There was no such noise in the previous seasons. I did not get a rooster just to avoid being a noisy neighbor. These five hens are loud enough to be heard in the next town. Any ideas?

 

[mychookschick]

Hmmm... VERY INTERESTING! Are you sure that there is absolutely no egg laying at that time because my chickens start their day at 5 in the morning and every time that they lay an egg they have the need to make a very loud cackling/sqauking noise... just wonderin.

 

[joanr]

no eggs until later in the day and yes they often then make a fuss but nothing like they are doing now at dawn.

 

[LittleFeat]

Quote:
Yep mine too!! But I at least get to stay in bed 15 min. later than you....mine don't start til 5:45!

I am like you though, I'm constantly worried I'm going to get a call from an irritated neighbor!

As soon as I let them out, they scratch and preen and go about their business totally quiet! I am really considering some type of automatic pop door at least for morning....or some very heavy ear plugs and neighbors are on their own!!

 

[Choco Maran]

Ours do the same thing. Also at different times during the day. I think they hear a noise and wakes them up.
Don't have to worry about neighbor. We are COUNTRY folk.

 

[joanr]

I too am interested in the idea of an automatic door opener for the morning. Any suggestions?

 

[LittleFeat]

Quote:
Do a search on here for automatic door. There are LOTS of posts. Someone just the other day posted about trying to figure out a method that the chickens could actually activate the door themselves. They mentioned the feeders that when a bird steps on it the access door opens for the feed. I was thinking this might be something to "dwell" on and try to come up with - something that would maybe spring the pop door open. I don't really care about it closing but the morning chicken-operated opening is something I'm going to work on!!

 

[LittleFeat]

Oh and by the way.....Joanr....

 

[target022]

One of my three leghorns is very vocal every morning at 6 am. She doesn't even come out of the coop. They also get a little noisy when they see me come out. One of them has just started laying, but I never get an egg in the morning.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
If you're willing to spend the money for it, the Foy's automatic doorkeeper is MY recommendation! I love it. Battery operated, so you don't need power to the coop. Daylight activated, so it opens just after dawn and closes at dusk.

Look here: http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/2100-2107.html