Loud Squawking Hen :(

[Stands With A Fiddle]

Hey -- I am new to all this chicken raising. I recently got a hen that someone was re-homing. She is a good layer, smart, and a good hen. The downside is that she screams like a banshee. Starts very early, and keeps at it. Louder than a roo.

Anyway, I am worried that my neighbors will complain to the homeowner (who reluctantly let me and another renter have hens). Also, she is seriously annoying to me, and I am her mama.

So, I want to know if she will settle down (I've had her about 4 days now)? She seemed to chill out a little when I let them all out of the coop to free-range out of desperation to shut her up. Would it be ill-advised to let my girls free-range while I go to work so she doesn't screech as much? Is there anything I can do to help her settle down?

Thanks!!!

 

[threehorses]

Some hens are just talkative. Personally I adore the hens that tell you EVERYthing that's going on! You can tell when they lay, when someone is lost or caught somewhere, where they are, if there's a predator, etc. That's the best kind of hen ever! Send her here!

As for free ranging, well first off she should have been quarantined 31 days but I suppose she's in with your girls. Free ranging will depend on how predator proof your place is - including hawks. So that's up to you. If you have a strong run with wire, not poultry netting or poultry wire - and a roof of the same, then you could certainly try it. They need to be out and about.

 

[Stands With A Fiddle]

Well, we (my upstairs neighbor and I) pretty well just assembled a flock of second-hand hens over the course of the last week or so. So, we didn't really quarantine any of them because it wasn't exactly practical to do so under the circumstances. Being able to do that would have been nice, but I figured that the Pioneers never did it, so how bad could it turn out???

Anyway, she is the only one that is laying so far. My neighbor indicated that once the others start laying, she might start to look tasty. Frankly, I think she is too good of a layer to end up on death row. Also, she is very pretty and quite intelligent, so I'd prefer to sell or trade her. Or just outright give her away if I think it's a good enough home. She could be a really good laying hen for someone -- just not in an urban or suburban home.

So if you are serious, I may end up trying to send her to you. But it'll be weeks before I decide anything one way or another.

To clarify, she isn't just a talkative hen. I am a violin teacher, so for me to call something screechy.... you get the idea.

 

[threehorses]

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Update this thread when you decide and maybe at least we can find someone especially since she lays well, and you'll have had her over 31 days then and can attest to her health.

 

[Judy]

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[chookchick]

Was she previously a free-range chicken? She may be seriously PO'd about not free-ranging anymore...
Oh that reminds me--when I integrated my chickens, one hen screamed for a couple of days because of the newbies, jut really PO'd. She got over it after a couple of days, though. Give her some time...

 

[Stands With A Fiddle]

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Good idea... At the end of 31 days, she may settle down. So between the matter of health and giving her a chance to get comfy, the 31 day suggestion sounds like a really good plan.

She wasn't previously free range, but she was able to defeat several sets of locks when she felt like free ranging. However, she does shut up when I have her out in the yard, so I've been pretty permissive in letting her run free.

 

[Stands With A Fiddle]

Update: She had a better day today according to my neighbor. So she may be settling down.

 

[threehorses]

Oh well that's certainly good news! (I'd be sure and take the neighbor a basket of nice fresh eggs when she lays some, with a thank you note!)