Strange noises from 15-16 week old BO?

[lsv313]

I am new to this whole chicken thing. Tonight my husband and I came home to find our 15-16 week old BO hen making some very strange, very LOUD noises. I had heard of the egg song and wondered if it perhaps could be that - I went online and googled egg song and listened to a recording of it - and it sounded exactly like it! Just to be sure, I listened to a few different versions. Definitely sounded like it. But there are several things which are strange about that. The first, and most obvious - we found no egg. Granted, they free range around the yard, and it could easily be somewhere where we can't see it, but we looked pretty hard. Secondly, when we came out to find her making the song, she was surrounded by our 5 other chickens. Don't chickens usually go off by themselves to lay? Third, she seems a bit young to start laying yet. I mean, I know it can be soon, but this soon? She still isn't very red in the face yet. I'm not sure what to think? Is this normal? Do you think she did lay an egg? Is this preparation for egg laying? Any thoughts? Thanks for any ideas!

 

[pgpoultry]

Chickens sing 'the egg song' often as pullets some days or weeks before they lay. All chickens (including roosters') can sing 'the egg song' if startled etc.

Sounds as though your girl is working up to the big day....


Good Luck ,

sandie

 

[kano]

The egg song is also an "alarm song". Sometimes, if one sing , some others do the same.

 

[Happy Chooks]

It's not uncommon for them to "sing" without an egg being laid. They can sing before, during and after an egg is laid. But you can be sure that you are pretty close to eggs if she's singing!

And it can also be an alarm call if they are startled.

 

[sourland]

Is there an outside possibility that "she" might be a cockerel?

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Probably not. Pullets will sing egg songs long before they will lay. And some, like mine, can be sneaky and don't sing egg songs.

 

[Delphinium]

My buff orp (18 weeks old) sang the "egg song" yesterday when the sprayer from the hose came on unexpectedly and sprayed her. No eggs yet, but good to know she can sing the song.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

I have had 4 doing the 'egg song' but no eggs from them for the last couple of weeks. I think they have heard Dolly doing it so often (for hours!) that they are mocking her!

 

[lsv313]

Thanks for all the replies! I am almost 100% sure that she IS a she - have been looking at other pics of BO's around similar ages to make sure. Her face still is not very red - although becoming more so in past few days. She has no wattle whatsoever and a pretty undeveloped comb. Startled is probably the correct answer- the 6 of them were huddled close together with their necks stuck out, looking like they might be frightened. So exciting to know that it might be soon for that egg!!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

All of my chickens were singing today, and oddly enough my BA was too, which prior to this has never made a noise louder than a peep. I also realized they were acting like they were bothered by something and saw two chickens looking up into the big eucalyptus tree that towers over their coop and saw a Cooper's hawk. I suspect it took a swipe through the yard a bit too close for their comfort. The hawk visits my yard nearly every day, but has been absent for the past week. Prior to today my chickens had even stopped responding to it. So, I suspect your BO saw something that upset her.