They are so noisy!

[disneypixie49]

For the past few days I have been waking up at 5:00 because one of my three hens keeps crowing her beak off. I live in the suburbs so we have close neighbors and my family just recently complained to one of our neighbors because of the loud racket their dogs were making. I don't want to be a hypocrite! We let them out of the run in the afternoon, but now they seem like they expect to be let out in the early morning too. Is there anything that I can do to stop them from waking up the neighborhood?

 

[crazy chook]

Is she laying an egg at that time and letting every one know?

 

[Annabella]

Can they be contained in their coop until a little later in the morning. If its not too hot.
I find mine are quieter if kept "in the dark"

 

[NanoByte]

Hens will cackle loudly when they lay new eggs so that may be why,

 

[tuesdays chicks]

My buff orp makes lots of noise when she wants food.

 

[Leia's Chickens]

Ours make a tremendous racket until they are let out once it starts to get light out.

 

[gryeyes]

Are you SURE she's a hen?? You said "crowing her beak off" - and at 5 AM. Uhhh... that's rooster behavior. Has she laid eggs?

Most chickens lay their eggs a bit later in the morning... not first thing at dawn. Honest.

Or is she your Head Hen and has taken over the "rooster's job.".......

 

[Happy Chooks]

An automatic door might help you. Then they could be out in their run exploring instead of cackling. I got mine from Foy's Pigeon Supplies and it's well worth every penny!

 

[jdellosso]

Mine did this...lasted a couple months, but here's what I did because now I sleep in. I crawl out of bed when I hear them, then throw them some scratch. That keeps them content for an hour or so and they seem to get into other chicken doings-scratching for bugs, etc. One day they just stopped making a fuss, now they don't make a peep until they see me through the sliding door. Good luck!

 

[disneypixie49]

She has laid one egg before (she hasn't laid again but they're all about 4 months old, so I'm not worrying too much) and she is definitely the top hen in the coop.
I think that I will just try throwing some food out in the morning for them and then going back to sleep in. Thanks for all your help!