Hens screeching early morning

[fluffhead]

Ever since one of my hens started laying (about 2 weeks ago), both of my previously-quiet hens are very loud in the morning. I keep them in an 8' tractor at night, and then release them into a 10x20' pen during the daytime (and our open backyard when we are home). As soon as first light hits, the hens are no longer content to be in the tractor. Both of them screech as if there is a predator (buk buk buk BAAAACAAWWWW!!) until I run outside in my bathrobe. This morning, even letting them out didn't stop the 6am screeching.

I am really worried over this, as we have neighbors in very close proximity who are definitely being woken up. These girls are as loud as my rooster was (he lives elsewhere now).

Should I maybe just leave them out 24/7 in the larger open pen (they put themselves into their nesting boxes at night)? They would be far more vulnerable to predators, but I think I've done as best I can to secure the area.

Ugh. I am going to give myself an ulcer here!

Thanks for the help!

 

[silkiechicken]

It's normal... they are getting used to the hen thing. They should calm down once they get the whole girl thing down. Either that or they learned making a rukus = freedom.

If the run is not secure, I'd keep them cooped up for the night.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
They should be roosting at night - not sleeping in the nest boxes.

My girls seem to make more noise in the early afternoon - well one girl in particular - not sure why she does it, perhaps she's just HAPPY I don't have a clue.

 

[Justino]

mine do it when laying eggs

 

[seminolewind]

Mine are noisy before they lay, I guess they are announcing the urge to lay. Then they hop into the coop and there is silence.