Purring....

[Bring]

I've read on BYC several times about chickens purring and most people think it's what they do when they are content or happy. I heard my chickens purring and they all stopped and looked up into the sky. I looked up as well to see what the fuss is about (they've got me trained) and there was a hawk circling the yard. I have a coop and run that are both inclosed so there was no real danger to them. Anyway the purr sounded like a very low purr/growl. Seemed like they wanted to alert the rest of the flock but still be quiet as not to draw attention to themselves. Anyway, do you think the purr is more of a warning or a happy sound? I just added four new Cochins to my four I already had and I haven't heard this sound until I got them.

 

[fordmommy]

My chickens do both. Like you said about the warning...yes...it's a growl. I have two chickens that do that. One is my cockeral and the other is the alfa female.

Then there's the purring. The alfa female, a big BA purs while she's in the nesting boxes. I only have two laying right now. And the other is pretty quite. So yes...that's a happy sound.

Hope this helps.

 

[gritsar]

I have only witnessed purring (I call it growling) when they are upset about something; usually an aerial predator.
I do have a few hens that sing on the roosts at night, but it's different from the purring.

 

[wildorchid053]

when mine are upset they go into a big squawking mode . necks stretched out and everyone looking in the air. there is no mistaking the warning from the roos.. all the hens high tail it into the run for protection from free ranging.

 

[Uppity Peon]

I have heard the hawk growl and another noise that is more like purring. My EE roo Rusty purrs when he's trying to show one of the hens where he wants her to lay an egg. At least that's what I think he's doing. I will get a video uploaded in a while. It's funny! He was telling her to follow him into this little tunnel in some tall grass. She eventually laid her egg in the coop.

Edit: adding video.
OK maybe this isn't purring. You may have to turn the volume up to hear his little noises.
http://s356.photobucket.com/albums/oo10/daud_photos/?action=view&current=Chickens027.flv

 

[Kezzie]

I heard the most beautiful quiet trilling from my girls at midnight last night when we were out to watch the shuttle launch. I had never heard it before and it was such a contented happy sound. It made me sleepy!

 

[charsbird]

Mine also do both, like Kezzie said, the purring is more like a quiet trilling. The other warning sound is definately like a growl.

 

[LizzyJo]

I've heard the growl when someone is in a nest and I walk into the coop. I've also heard the happy trill.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
i love those sounds...so peaceful.

i think the growl is kind of lower and foreboding, and the purr is a little bit higher pitched.

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
What a cool looking EE! My EE looks like your avitar.