How much noise do hens make?

[HippoMom]

I have been thinking about getting some chickens for eggs, but I'm afraid of how much noise they might make (and bother neighbors, I don't care about noise.) I just want to get some girls for eggs, no rooster. How much noise would just a few hens make? We only have one neighbor that it might bother, I think everyone else is far enough away not to be bothered. Thanks, yall!

 

[4 the Birds]

As long as your zoning or covenants allow you to have chickens then go for it! You can let your neighbors know that you will have fresh eggs to sell or give to them.

 

[HippoMom]

The HOA actually doesn't allow chickens, but I know other people have them in the neighborhood, so I'm assuming that it isn't a rule that is strongly enforced.

 

[mrsc1951]

We too, had a concern about only one neighbor and got chichens that aren't so noisey. Light Brahmas and Black Australorps and an EE bantam. Both the LBs and BAs "talk" a lot but it is pretty quiet. Additionally both breeds are excellent layers. They only time they are ever loud is when they are singing the egg song or if the occassional cat comes over the fence - that is funny - I feel sorry for the startled cat - sometimes. The EE can get loud but not obnoxiously so. I have had zero complaints but several comments on how nice it is to hear the chickens and of course, they appreciate the eggs. When my little bantam hen went broody, I got her two day old chicks (I can't have a roo) that are Cochin/Silver Laced Wyandotte and they are very noisey. One of them sounds like a goose. Still no complaints. Zoning laws in my town allow me to have chickens - just no roos, which is fine with me. I agree with 4 the birds, if you let your neighbors know, you really should have no problems.

 

[spotsplus]

I have 16 in my residential neighborhood. The neighbors don't seem to mind the noise. The three of mine that make the most noise are two silkies and a sebright hen. The sebright is the loudest and "cries" a lot especially in the morning before I let them out. The rest are all pretty quiet.

 

[azygous]

Some breeds are, like has already been mentioned, quieter than others. But overall, hens don't make the kind of noise, even at their most vocal, that is annoying to neighbors. Noise that carries over distance, like dogs barking and roosters crowing, is of the sort that gets on people's nerves.

However, you would do well to poll your neighbors to see if they would object to chickens' clucking and calling. I've found that this simple act will head off any potential "cranky neighbor" problem by virtue of having been asked their permission, as silly as it sounds. The big reason cranky neighbors behave in a crabby manner is usually due to their feeling like they're powerless. All they need in order to go along, is to be given a little power, even a very small bit by way of being asked if they would object.

 

[jnntefend]

I find that it makes a pretty pleasant sound. And I love the sound of my chicks. I actually keep one brooder in my bedroom and it bothers me not at all. the adults are a little louder and a little less musical, but nothing that should bother any but the meanest next door neighbor. And most of the sounds they make are low-pitched, so they don't carry as far. Good luck with this, and, one more idea....

I know this sounds crazy, but lots of people keep one or two chickens inside their homes because of city and HOA restrictions. Another idea is to put up a lovely trellissed garden, in a square or rectangle against you back door, and let the chickens run in their for some fresh air sometimes. I have a friend who does this, and their neighbors don't even notice. They just comment on the great squash she has growing.

 

[Aumlet]

Mine can get rowdy. It's the Black Ameracauna that winds them up; I once had to rehome a Dominique hen because she was noisy and loud and even *I* couldn't stand it. Most of mine are naturally quiet, but they'll follow the lead of noisier chickens and make a ruckus. I'm not talking about the egg song - my noisier chickens yell.

I love my Ameracaunas and EE, but if I needed quiet chickens I'd avoid those breeds/mixes.

 

[Racheroooo2]

The HOA actually doesn't allow chickens, but I know other people have them in the neighborhood, so I'm assuming that it isn't a rule that is strongly enforced.

Hens usually make as much noise as a radio set on low on a classical station. Mine are still little and are in the garage and we can't here them in the house. (three of them) Some chickens are loud because of their breed but Buff Orpington are supposed to be quiet and good layers. I accidentally got a rooster and the neighbors don't live that far away and they couldn't here him.

 

[Tsossamon]

My hens I have three are quiet much less noise than the neighbors dogs. If you have a picky neighbor you may find out no matter what you do will cause them to call the HOA on you. I would say you would have more complaints about smell or flies than you ever would with noise. Unless of course your planning to buy a whole hen house.