Purring or Growling?

[Rcpopart]

Yolko is getting picked on by the rest of the flock while she’s molting, she has neuropathy according to the vet and can’t get around very easily. So we’ve moved her into the house for now while her feathers grow back in.

She’s started making these purring/growling noises in our house whenever she hears loud noises, but then sometimes carries on for 10 minutes quietly by herself with her eyes closed.

We can’t figure out if she’s happy or being protective. She often does this looking extremely calm.

Can anyone tell us what’s happening?

 

[WthrLady]

She's fine. It's the same noise, albeit usually softer, that they make to chicks when they suspect danger near. Once the noise clears, they relax, and go about business.

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Sounds like purring! Chickens do purr when they are happy to see you.

 

[WthrLady]

When they growl, it's followed by heightened awareness and the look of a dinosaur ready to pounce and take off your hand, before they scare off the threat and go back to business - with or without your hand in their beak.