Multiple Chickens Producing Trilling Sound from the Roost

[centrarchid]

Just after dark dog and I walked pens closing those holding free-range birds birds. As we walked I could hear multiple birds, presumably roosters, produce a trilling sound. I about 20 pens involved. They have have been able to see something flying my eyes were not dark adapted enough to see. I have been seeing some Whip-poor-wills flying through lately that might be setting everyone off. Could also be Woodcocks.

 

[Perris]

They have have been able to see something flying my eyes were not dark adapted enough to see.

I thought their eyesight was relatively poor, esp in twilight and after dark - this is my source http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/10E06A11.pdf
Do you know otherwise? Or maybe another sense involved?

 

[centrarchid]

I thought their eyesight was relatively poor, esp in twilight and after dark - this is my source http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/10E06A11.pdf
Do you know otherwise? Or maybe another sense involved?

It is not totally dark. I can see well enough to walk without using a flashlight, although I cannot see hotwire. Dogs have no trouble seeing.

My birds are outside under stars where they have time to adapt to lighting conditions each evening. The birds they appear to be seeing would be flying between chickens and sky much of the time, especially the Whip-Poor-Wills. The woodcock put real slow between pens at the same level as the chickens.

 

[Hendrika]

Hi! My hens used to make strange purring noises, while standing frozen. I always assumed it was some kind of alarm sound. I filmed them doing it:

Is this the sound you heard?

 

[centrarchid]

Sounds I heard were considerably louder. Your are seeing something.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Chickens make a trilling sound when they are going to sleep. I have heard my momma hen do it to her chicks after they all went under her, and my adult chickens do it towards each other while sitting on the roost. Maybe that's what you heard?

 

[centrarchid]

Chickens make a trilling sound when they are going to sleep. I have heard my momma hen do it to her chicks after they all went under her, and my adult chickens do it towards each other while sitting on the roost. Maybe that's what you heard?

I could here them from 100 feet away.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Was it something like this? (It's not the best video, but it's all I could find. Sorry)

 

[centrarchid]

Somebody seems to have an upper respiratory issue.