Purring?

[TheBeardie]

I have a chicken, just over 15 weeks old, Gimpy who I'm sure is a pullet. While I was out sitting with the flock today I noticed a strange sound coming from one of my chickens. That's not too weird considering they're starting to make 'big chicken' noises and sound strange anyway.

Well, I go over to the group dust bathing session and Gimpy is the one making this almost contented purring sound. I believe I've seen some people on here saying one of their chickens purr, but I've have had +100 chickens and I've never personally heard it myself. Is this noise common among chickens and I just haven't heard it?

Gimpy, in the middle, dust bathing today.

Her a few days ago.

 

[sourland]

I think that it may be an indication of contentment. I have heard broody hens purr to their eggs or newly hatched chicks.

 

[TheBeardie]

I think that it may be an indication of contentment. I have heard broody hens purr to their eggs of newly hatched chicks.

It would seem so, she was with her friends taking a nice bath and looked like she was happy.

 

[Shadrach]

It's very common here. What seems to happen is one starts and after a while they all do it.
What I find interesting is in trying to work out why they do it and what the sound might mean, I've tried a few 'experiments.
The bantam flock here 'purr' a lot more than the Maran and mixed breed flocks. They are more tightly genetically related than the other flocks.
Normally, if I offer a few pieces of walnut to the bantam flock they come and sit on my legs or shoulders waiting for me to offer them their piece. When they are 'purring' they ignore the food!
When these purring sessions start they stand very still wherever they are. which can be a bit concerning if one or two are in the open. I've seen a rat walk right through a 'purring' group. Normally a rat this close would elicit the non predator but known animal alarm. This doesn't get called in these 'purring' sessions.
The purring means something and it would seem whatever it is it's more important than food.

 

[Pork Pie]

I had a demon broody Araucana and we always had a chat as i lifted her out of the nest box and carried her down the garden to the rest of the flock towards the end of her broody episodes - she made a purring sound as i spoke to her on the way back the flock and seemed contented.

Something more of growl means hawk / sky based predator alert based on my observation.

Great observations by Shadrach.

 

[PouleChick]

Wow never heard of that one! She does look super happy!

 

[LlamaGirl4]

I remember @Ducksandchickens Pekin would purr if you scratched her under her bill. It was super sweet!!

 

[TheBeardie]

Something more of growl means hawk / sky based predator alert based on my observation.

The distress call is great! Someone sees a bird, usually non-threatening here, and sounds the alarm. Everyone scatters under bushes, trees and any available object. I love seeing this behavior since I know they will protect themselves if it is something dangerous.