Loud hens!

[WestVermont]

My hens have gotten very noisy, VERY LOUD! They are now 18 weeks old.... I was told that this is a sign of a hen about to start laying... any truth in this? I have Red and Black stars, rhode Island reds, buff orb., and EE if it maters. They are in and actual apartment so I no that no dogs, skunks, or other critter issues that could be causing it. If it is a sign of laying how soon after they start this behavior do or can they start!

 

[thebanthams]

Its not always means they are about to lay eggs. they may be bored ! How many hens do you have? do you let them out their coop? they need entertainment like give them hay for them to play in or give them whole cabbage for them to peck on. they will like corn too.

 

[debid]

I noticed that mine got more chatty as they neared POL. It was conversational noise, not screeching, and the loudest two were snatched by predators so I have no idea when they would have started laying. The best indicator for me was the squatting behavior. Laying commenced within days of the first squat.