Leghorn yelling all day

[Ghosty1234]

My 5 month old Leghorn hen has been yelling all day for the past two days. No clucking or singing of any kind, just yelling/screeching. The only time she calms down is when she's outside playing or if I hold her closely to me. The minute she's back inside or out of my arms, she resumes. I don't know if this is a health issue or not. Any idea what's causing this?

 

[CoopBoots]

Is she getting along with the other chickens? Also, has she begun to lay yet?

 

[WIchickMama]

My Leghorn does this when another chicken is either in her way for her favorite daytime resting spot or when someone is in the nesting box she wants.

 

[Ghosty1234]

Is she getting along with the other chickens? Also, has she begun to lay yet?

She's a lone chicken and she hasn't started laying yet

 

[CoopBoots]

She's a lone chicken and she hasn't started laying yet

Got it. I'd start by making her a cosy nest box if you haven't already. Pullets start looking for a safe, dark place to lay and scope it out a while before they start laying, and she's close to the right age now. Put a fake egg or two inside so she gets the idea. This might relieve pre-egg anxiety if that's what she's going through.

 

[3KillerBs]

She's a lone chicken and she hasn't started laying yet

Chickens are flock animals and don't do well alone.

She needs companionship so when parted from her flock -- you -- she screams.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Chickens are flock animals and don't do well alone.

She needs companionship so when parted from her flock -- you -- she screams.

This. I imagine she's lonely and scared. Flock animals need others for safety since they are prey animals. She needs a buddy. I'd suggest 2 more.

 

[WIchickMama]

Agree with above she needs flock mates.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yep, she has imprinted on you as her flock. Some can handle being alone better than others but she is not one of those. Sometimes they can imprint on another animal, dog or horse maybe. So what can you do.

Rehome her so she has flockmates.

Get more chickens, preferably her age to make integration easier.. I suggest a minimum of two more. That way if one dies the remaining one has a companion so you are not going through this again.

Keep her with you 24/7.

Put her where there is always another animal there. Anything from a dog or cat to a caged parrot.

Put up with it and let her suffer.

With baby chicks in a brooder you can put a mirror so their reflection comforts them and maybe put in a stuffed animal for them to cuddle with. I'm not sure how that would work with the way you manage her. It doesn't always work in a brooder either but sometimes it helps.