Vocal hens

[Moosemom4]

Im in need of some advice. I have 2 Rhode Island Red hybrid production hens that are around 24 weeks. And 2, 4 week old black australorp chicks. Ive been trying to give the chicks some outdoor time in a separate pen. But every time I do, my older hens make a HUGE racket. I live in a subdivision, so I'm concerned about the noise. Why are they being so vocal? Is there anyway to quiet them?

Thanks

 

[snow5164]

Do they want to get to the chicks? If you had them side by side with a fence in between maybe that would help .

I've seen mine stick their heads threw the chain line dividing wall and scream their heads off when I'm feeding the other hens ...


Don't think you can quiet a hen unless you give them something really delicious and their beaks are full

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are probably alarm calling because the chicks are sometimes different in their environment. Your older hens are reaching sexual maturity, which often causes them to become more vocal and over reactive to situations.

It could help to pen the chicks right next to them so they see what the fuss is all about.

Chickens unfortunately can be quite loud, so you will hear plenty more out of them as they mature.

 

[Moosemom4]

I've had the older ones out in the yard while the little ones are in the pen. They weren't going anywhere near the babies. Or acting aggressively.

 

[snow5164]

Ok,
You should look up all the noises chickens make and why. It is very interesting indeed, they might be giving the warning call because as someone said there is someone new that they don't recognize.

Time should help,
Maybe let them out when your neighbors are at work ?

 

[aart]

I've had the older ones out in the yard while the little ones are in the pen. They weren't going anywhere near the babies. Or acting aggressively.

Welcome to BYC!

They may still be alarmed calling but not attacking the chicks.
Chickens don't like change and they should calm down after they get used to the chicks being around.

Are the 24 week olds laying yet?
They may be getting ready to, they can make quite a loud racket once those hormones start flowing and those weird things start coming out of their butts.
It can go on for weeks until they are all used to laying......and even then, egg laying often is accompanied by vocalizations.
Folks often think only cock/erels(roosters) are noisy, but pullets/hens can be very loud, they just usually confine it to daylight hours.

 

[Moosemom4]

They've been laying since 18 weeks