Strange, dying chicken noises and flapping?

[Soot the silkie]

I've been wondering for awhile about this strange thing two of my hens do. I will hear this sound that seems similar to maybe the sound of a chicken in absolute agony, and I will rush out to check on them, and they seem completely fine and proper. Then, after watching them for awhile, one will stand up, stretch out her neck, flap her wings furiously, and with the expression of utter madness in her eyes and her beak wide let out a gargling and horrific scream as though she's being stabbed, strangled, etcétera. Then everything will return to normal. The other hens don't even seem to mind the strange behavior at all. There doesn't seem to be a cause for this, like a crow flying over or any threat. Is it another one of those normal, weird chicken things?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I've been wondering for awhile about this strange thing two of my hens do. I will hear this sound that seems similar to maybe the sound of a chicken in absolute agony, and I will rush out to check on them, and they seem completely fine and proper. Then, after watching them for awhile, one will stand up, stretch out her neck, flap her wings furiously, and with the expression of utter madness in her eyes and her beak wide let out a gargling and horrific scream as though she's being stabbed, strangled, etcétera. Then everything will return to normal. The other hens don't even seem to mind the strange behavior at all. There doesn't seem to be a cause for this, like a crow flying over or any threat. Is it another one of those normal, weird chicken things?

Obviously your chicken is insane, in the throws of mental illness, poor thing.

I have no idea though, I am new here no crazy chickens of my own until April

Gary from Idyllwild Ca here

 

[shortgrass]

It sure doesn't sound "normal".....


Have you checked her over? No bitey pests, tender feet, anything bleeding?

She might be in pain somewhere, or has some sort of neurological problem. Some illnesses can cause problems like stumbling, paralysis, etc...

Weird. I hope someone comes along with some actual advice lol, sorry, I didn't help one bit

 

[Soot the silkie]

It sure doesn't sound "normal".....


Have you checked her over? No bitey pests, tender feet, anything bleeding?

She might be in pain somewhere, or has some sort of neurological problem. Some illnesses can cause problems like stumbling, paralysis, etc...

Weird. I hope someone comes along with some actual advice lol, sorry, I didn't help one bit

The two that do it both are very healthy, and they don't seem to have any symptoms of Marek's or anything like that... but thanks anyway!

 

[Soot the silkie]

Obviously your chicken is insane, in the throws of mental illness, poor thing.


I have no idea though, I am new here no crazy chickens of my own until April

Gary from Idyllwild Ca here

Haha I have thought that many a time with all my chickens! I'm no chicken expert either.

 

[donrae]

How old are the birds in question? Do you have pics? Are you positive they're not young cockerels trying to crow?

 

[SilkiesForEver]

It could be that she is attempting to crow. I have an OEGB hen who does exactly what you are describing.

 

[junebuggena]

Sounds like perfectly normal behavior, if your two are cockerels.

 

[laircy]

It could be that she is attempting to crow. I have an OEGB hen who does exactly what you are describing.

I second this, my white leghorn rooster crows and it sounds like rough screaming. If some roosters have trouble crowing, I imagine a hen would even more. Or maybe they are roosters...

 

[shortgrass]

ROFL you guys!

It never even crossed my mind to think it could be a cockerel lol


Duh ha-ha, that DOES sound like a cockerel attempting his first crows....


Have you seen these 'hens' lay eggs yet? I agree knowing their age might help