Suddenly LOUD chickens!

[orchardgirl]

Hi All, I have 8 chickens that are 24 weeks (Australorps, Buffs and Cochins). They have been fairly quiet since we got them as chicks. I researched beforehand to try to find more "quiet" chickens realizing they do make some noise. Well in the past week they have gotten so very loud. It starts early and goes on all day. They haven't started laying yet but I am expecting an egg any day. From what I have read it looks like others have the same issue when they are close to laying. I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do to make them quiet? My HOA allows chickens as long as they aren't a nuisance and they have definitely become that and I don't want them to make me give them away! Hoping this is very temporary.

 

[ftfarmer22]

Not sure. But maybe putting up some distractions would help. Like throwing out pieces of corn or any other table scraps you may have. Chickens LOVE it, and I know this won't work for all day, but if you put out enough it would keep the noise down for about an hour or so. Throw out some chicken scratch and all they'll want to do is scratch around. But, the reason for all this noise is probably that they are get very close to their first egg. When chickens are needing to lay an egg, they make a VERY loud "bock-bock-BOCK" noise. It will stop soon, don't worry. Hope this helped!

-ftfarmer22

 

[aart]

Oh, they can get LOUD for sure.....and it can go on a for days at a time, then just stop one day.
It's probably because they are coming near point of lay age, the hormones are flowing.

 

[bantambarnyard]

Sounds like the egg song to me! They should settle down after they start laying. Good luck!

 

[orchardgirl]

Oh I so hope you all are right! They have been so stress free until now and I feel like I am going to rip my hair out! Will try your suggestions, thanks!