Need advice on loud chicken!

[apc1mkc]

I have two chickens - a Dominique and a Buff Orpington. The Dominique just started laying this week and my family is so excited. The Orpington has not started laying yet. When the Dominique is ready to lay, she goes into one of the nesting boxes and knocks around for a while until she produces the egg. The Orpington squawks the ENTIRE time the Dominique is in the nesting box. We live in the city, so of course neighbors are a concern. Is there anything that we can do to quiet her during this time? She gets extremely loud and it makes me a nervous wreck. The Dominique never makes a sound during her egg laying or after and normally, they are both always so quiet.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Having a third hen would probably have fixed this----the unlaying hen just wants her to come back and hang out.

 

[andreanar]

Unfortunately, some girls do this! People think only roos are loud, but hens laying can make a ruckus like no tomorrow!

 

[PD-Riverman]

Unfortunately, some girls do this! People think only roos are loud, but hens laying can make a ruckus like no tomorrow!

Its Not the one laying that is making the noise.

 

[Top Rooster]

She needs another friend to keep her company while her best friend is laying an egg, they get lonely by them selves and cluck for their friend to come back.

 

[mobius]

Awww, sorry you are having problems but it also speaks to the connectedness of chickens...can you get another one?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hens are loud period. I have over 40 egg layers/multi breeds. During egg laying hours sounds like a torture chamber. It is a gross misconception that chickens are gentle and quite.
That is a factor that all suburban/city folks need to research before setting up shop with their own flock if there are neighbors close by.
Adding more chickens will add more squawking.
http://sdsustainable.org/blog/10-things-you-should-know-about-raising-backyard-chickens/

 

[microchick]

I have both Bull O hens and Welsummer hens that do the same thing. Especially the Welly girls. They will sit on the roost bar outside the nesting boxes and bugle their egg song along with their exuberant "I am chicken, I laid an egg, worship me all you underlings!" cry over and over again. They manage to get the whole flock going, roosters and hens and the sound is quite impressive.

I live rural where it is no problem but I can see where it would be a hassle for urban chicken owners.

I really wonder if adding a bird or two will solve the problem. For me it just meant more noise. I think some breeds are just noisier than others. Perhaps it will come down to you trading your noise maker for a less vocal breed of chicken..

 

[Chickassan]

You could try distracting your squawker something tasty while her friend is laying.

 

[apc1mkc]

Awww, sorry you are having problems but it also speaks to the connectedness of chickens...can you get another one?

Hens are loud period. I have over 40 egg layers/multi breeds. During egg laying hours sounds like a torture chamber. It is a gross misconception that chickens are gentle and quite.
That is a factor that all suburban/city folks need to research before setting up shop with their own flock if there are neighbors close by.
Adding more chickens will add more squawking.
http://sdsustainable.org/blog/10-things-you-should-know-about-raising-backyard-chickens/

Yes, did tons of research and have several city friends with them most of them have two or three and they don't squawk nearly as loud as the Orpington! One family, two neighborhoods over from us, has 46 that includes TWELVE roosters (all in the backyard). Can't even fathom...