Squawking, screaming hen won't stop

[Grits&Eggs]

My biggest Australorp squalks a lot when someone is in "her" nest box. when she walks into the coop and it is occupied she stands in the doorway screaming, hard to tell why that is an issue since the boxes are same size, just different location in the coop. As far as laying, she did start squalking around the same time as she started laying! But she will also, months after she started laying , be the one to sound the alarm when I enter the yard with treats! And, we eat any and all eggs, the dogs have even enjoyed one or two

 

[Chick CJ]

This is our first time raising hens and we have 3. First post on this forum. Yesterday and early this morning one of them started loudly, and I mean loudly, and started with the screaming. Even going out there doesn't matter. She started making her nest yesterday and it's made very nice this a.m. I contacted the breeder I bought her from but she has no idea why my hen is doing that. None of hers ever have. Does anyone know why? They are Blue Lace Wyandottes and 6 months old. I feed them fruit and veggies every morning, organic layer feed, water, and at night, special chicken treats. I'm beside myself, very concerned something's wrong, and I know my neighbors don't appreciate it and may possibly call the the city. I uploaded a few pics. We got our first egg! Very small. Is that normal? Can we eat it? I'm so lost! Please, someone help me!

I am so happy for you! First eggs are so egggciting!! Small is normal, they will get bigger with time.

 

[SunshineGal]

The best way to link in a video is to upload it to YouTube and insert it from there.

Thank you!

 

[DobieLover]

Congratulations on the egg!
To give your chickens more space, you should remove three of the crates. You only have the three girls and they will share one nest box.
Did she quiet down after she laid the egg?

 

[SunshineGal]

My biggest Australorp squalks a lot when someone is in "her" nest box. when she walks into the coop and it is occupied she stands in the doorway screaming, hard to tell why that is an issue since the boxes are same size, just different location in the coop. As far as laying, she did start squalking around the same time as she started laying! But she will also, months after she started laying , be the one to sound the alarm when I enter the yard with treats! And, we eat any and all eggs, the dogs have even enjoyed one or two

Sounds like our girls! I have 4 nesting crates for them and she picked one then a 2nd one. Was so funny to watch her! We enjoy them so much!

 

[SunshineGal]

Welcome to BYC. It sounds as if she is getting ready to lay. Hormones are high, and hopefully will settle down soon.

Thank you! We got our first egg shortly after my post. It's small. Can we start eating them or wait till they get larger?

 

[SunshineGal]

Congratulations on the egg!
To give your chickens more space, you should remove three of the crates. You only have the three girls and they will share one nest box.
Did she quiet down after she laid the egg?

Only one nesting box? Hhhmmm....okay. I'll try that. Yes, she is quieter now after laying one egg.

 

[DobieLover]

Only one nesting box? Hhhmmm....okay. I'll try that. Yes, she is quieter now after laying one egg.

I have 2 nest boxes for 11 girls. They are fine.

 

[Chick CJ]

Thank you! We got our first egg shortly after my post. It's small. Can we start eating them or wait till they get larger?

YES! Eat the egg! I think I have pics of my first egg, first in the box, then in my hand, then in the pan as it was cooking!!! That was a very long time ago but I know when these chicks I just got start laying I will be just as excited as I was the first time!
CJ

 

[SunshineGal]

Congratulations on the egg!
To give your chickens more space, you should remove three of the crates. You only have the three girls and they will share one nest box.
Did she quiet down after she laid the egg?

I also read about the Five Freedoms guidance and the Dept of Environment and they said the same thing - one nesting box for 4-7 chickens. Thank you again for bringing that to my attention!