Making noises before bed

[AnonPaperclip]

So, we recently vaccinated and clipped the wings of our pullets. Every so often we'll let them free-range (with me watching, of course) and they seem to love doing so. When they start to go to bed though, one of them starts clucking. Our darkest welsummer, Timber, is always first into the coop after a day's foraging in the backyard, and right as she gets settled on the roosting bar, she starts making sounds. I have a feeling she's doing this because she's calling to the rest of the flock saying that it's time to go away for the night. Anyone have an idea of what might be going on here? They're about 19 weeks old now.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

At their age they are nervous hormonal teenagers. It sounds like you have no adult chickens or a rooster who would show them the ropes and would look out for them. Generally my rooster round their hens up at roost time.

They will get more vocal around that age, and the smallest thing can set them off. It could be she's calling or it could be she's frightened and is calling, but I'm just guessing.

 

[AnonPaperclip]

At their age they are nervous hormonal teenagers. It sounds like you have no adult chickens or a rooster who would show them the ropes and would look out for them. Generally my rooster round their hens up at roost time.

They will get more vocal around that age, and the smallest thing can set them off. It could be she's calling or it could be she's frightened and is calling, but I'm just guessing.

That's understandable. They've been together since they were about 2 weeks old (then we got 2 leghorns a week after we got them) We would've had a rooster, but I know how much they crow during the day, and I know the neighboors wouldn't be too happy about that. So he had to be taken back (Which is sad, because he was so sweet)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Without a rooster a hen will often play the role, so maybe she's attempting to. Roosters can be a pain. If you aren't able to keep one or don't need one, it's probably good you didn't keep him.

 

[AnonPaperclip]

Alright
Thanks for the help