The Pre and Post Egg Song

palochknldy

Chirping
9 Years
Jun 7, 2010
123
4
91
Palo, Iowa
I was lucky enough to be around before, during and after egg laying. Just thought I'd share this with you and you enjoy it as much as I did. I recorded the RIR the next day on my cell phone and now have it as my ring tone.

Mrs. Poon before laying an egg

Mrs. Poon rejoicing after laying an egg
 
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yeah, I couldn't access it either - would love to hear it though! I've never witnessed an "egg song".

Would you let us know if you change your settings so we can access it?

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Melissa
 
I just changed my link from the first post. Click on it and it will take you to youtube where I posted it. Enjoy!!
 
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DUMB question, do they practice singing this for weeks prior to laying their first egg? I have a black Australorp who sings these songs randomly all day long. I don't get excited anymore when I hear it, instead turning towards the coop and screaming LIAR!! (I love my chickens, but the first egg wait is excruciatingly painful!!!!)

ETA ~ Thank you for posting these songs. I thought that is what I had been hearing from my girls, but wasn't sure!!
 
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Last month's Backyard Poultry magazine had an interesting article theorizing about the meaning of the egg song. Essentially, the author posits that the egg song is a variant of an alarm call. The idea is that sitting on a nest to lay puts the hen in a vulnerable position. So before she goes to sit, she sings this song to get the whole flock on alert. Any predators around here? Flush 'em out!

When she comes off the nest, she is vulnerable because she's been in there spaced out for a while. Similarly, she puts the whole flock on alert for danger.

I thought it was an interesting theory, and I've been watching my flock when they sing with this theory in mind. It seems to fit, because when they sing they do also seem to be looking around alertly.
 

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