Training my hens NOT to be so noisy so early

[Mattemma]

I just peeked out and did not hear anything but the crows,whew! I did hear the roo crowing one time at 5:40am though. I don't let mine out until 9am at which time the roo crows then they go forage. I have issue with the egg singing they do.Also, I get that same song when one hen wants in *thee* nest box when it is already taken.They won't shut up about wanting to get in the box! I have to go shooo them out,,but they go right back to the box and squwak some more!

You could insulate the coop more to muffle the sounds.Coons and possums and even skunks will get into your type of coop run. I have a 6 foot chainlink fence around the yard,and one time a dog I captured went over the fence before AC got out here!

I worry about neighbors too.We are on 1 acre or less lots,and I can count about 12 homes from my backyard.That is a lot of people I can annoy. I am kind of glad there are crows making noise at 5am even though THEY drive me nuts. Sad part is a complaint will still get my chickens in trouble,and the crows will still be able to crow and squawk at 5am.

 

[cobrien]

Quote:
sounds like a good idea. have you tried it/did it work?
do you have pics of the coop or can you describe windows/doors/cracks/ventilation?

I think (not sure) that when chickens remain noisy even after darkening the coop, that they are actually picking up on the light that comes through cracks etc. When a coop is darkened, they seem to go to bed early because it's hard to see in there, so they know what it looks like from the coop when there is still some light outside at dusk. so when sun comes up in the morning they know it's morning as they recognize the light. I don't think they are responding to birds chirping in the am but light through cracks, etc., but Could be wrong!

 

[CariLynn]

I guess all my animals are lucky being with me...I get up and am out of the house to feed my horses and let my chickens and pullets out by 07:30 am and don't mind it at all as it is my responsibility and they are only doing what their nature dictates. Sure, I would love to lay in bed most days and wake up slowly. Can you go to bed a little earlier so you can get up early and let your hens out?

As for neighbors, I figure, I am zoned for farm animals. If I have to listen to one neighbor and him and his son's parties, music, screaming friends, and revving 4 wheelers they can listen to my rooster crow. I am one of those people that I enjoy how my hens and roo sound, they are great friends and only asked maybe 2 neighbors if they can hear him, they said no and enjoy a dozen eggs now and then.

 

[kla37]

My chickens have us perfectly trained. My 8 yr old gets up when he hears them and lets them out and fills up their feeder and waterer. If it's a weekend he'll just play in the yard or watch TV until I get up. During the week, it's nice 'cause the chickens wake him up, then my alarm goes off at 6, and it takes both of us to wake up 13 yr old DS! Once, when he was being a s%^* about getting up early, I put his chicken on top of him in his bed. THAT was funny. She decided that his pillow was a perfectly heavenly place to hang out.

 

[jcf3202]

Have you considered an automatic coop door to let them out early?

 

[cristina]

Quote:
sounds like a good idea. have you tried it/did it work?
do you have pics of the coop or can you describe windows/doors/cracks/ventilation?

I think (not sure) that when chickens remain noisy even after darkening the coop, that they are actually picking up on the light that comes through cracks etc. When a coop is darkened, they seem to go to bed early because it's hard to see in there, so they know what it looks like from the coop when there is still some light outside at dusk. so when sun comes up in the morning they know it's morning as they recognize the light. I don't think they are responding to birds chirping in the am but light through cracks, etc., but Could be wrong!

I have NOT tried the tarp thing yet. Actually I dont think I plan to. It seems too cumbersome, as I would have to remove it every day and replace it every evening. My coop iis made of chicken wire on 2 sides and their enclosed house on the one side not of chicken wire so there's plenty ventilation and too much space to cover to really make it dark. What I have been doing lately is keeping their coop door cracked open enough at night so they can let themselves out in the AM. Now, they dont squawk to be let out....they squawk for treats! These girls!! Some mornings are worse than others and in the winter it'll be better..all windows are open now so i hear everything. Then when the real heat comes and the AC goes on, God help them.

just kidding..they;ll get their treats every morning, but out of love, not out of "be quiet!!". I am blessed with great neighbors and so far no complaints. A couple of them said that they hear the hens every now and then but nothing bothersome.

 

[deedletree]

Mine are noisy for treats all the time as well, but especially in the morning. My neighbors haven't complained, but it does make me nervous. I wonder if the noise is actually as irritating to anyone (the neighbors) as it is to me, or if I'm just irritated because I'm afraid that the noise will bother someone. . .

 

[chicklover16]

you're fortunate that your girls wait untill 6:00, mine start at about 4:40

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
Are you sure chickens are right for you?

 

[speckledhen]

Honestly, I love to hear them. Neither the roosters nor the caterwauling hens bother me and sometimes, I even open my windows so I can hear them better.