What does this noise mean?

[Jess718]

Hi all! So my four girls have always been so quiet. I brought them home in March, so they are young. Yesterday something spooked them because the loud screaming was awful. I was outside but not right near the garden and when I got there, I couldn’t see anything. There were no signs anything had buried into the run or anything I could see overhead. It took them a few minutes to calm down and then every time I left they would start up. I ended up staying with them until it was time for bed.

Today I saw them in the morning and gave them some frozen treats because we are having some record high temps here. By the afternoon I started to hear them again. Not with the alert screaming like yesterday but a continual calling. I went to check things out and all I found was a baby bunny outside the pen that I shooed away. I told them to quiet down and they stopped. They have food and water and I just built them a Chunnel so there’s new stuff to do when they feel like it. I brought them some more ice treats though in case the heat was getting to them.

I have a video but I don’t know how to upload. It’s like a loud “Ba Cock” and then some lower but loud clucks. Then others join in. Geraldine seems to be starting it but she’s not the only one. She is also the biggest and seems to be in charge.

I don’t know if this is normal chicken behavior and I didn’t know how loud it could be?? I’ve been around chickens before though and this seems like someone trying to get attention or alert someone.

 

[drdoct]

Are they laying yet? Mine go nuts when laying or after. Our pullets from Feb 24th are half laying so yours may be getting ready.

 

[Jess718]

No eggs yet. They are Orpingtons- I wasn’t expecting to see an egg til at least August. I thought they made noise after laying - Would they be loud in anticipation of the egg lol? How long after the noise making would I expect to see something?
I guess it could be coincidental that yesterday they got spooked and yet are still carrying on today. Or maybe it was a scuffle? Does that happen?

 

[drdoct]

I've never had Orphingtons. My original flock was Easter Eggers with the beards. They're pretty quiet except when laying or right after when they're telling the world (the Cockerel) that they laid.

But I also have 6 new pullets (2 black star, 2 red star, 2 wellsummer) and they have always talked and been much louder than the Easter Eggers. They're always making noise.

 

[Jess718]

Yeah they kind of coo and talk to me all of the time. And each other I suppose lol. But this is way different. Like someone trying to really get their point across My neighbors will not go for it. And frankly it makes me upset cause I feel like something is wrong. I know it’s only been two days. I’m hoping it’s short lived but I guess we will see.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

It is probably an alarm call, my WTB is the alarm caller, this is when she met my first set of new littles...she is saying stranger danger, lol

 

[Jess718]

It is probably an alarm call, my WTB is the alarm caller, this is when she met my first set of new littles...she is saying stranger danger, lol

Omg that’s it! That’s exactly what she was doing. Oh my. I wonder what is bothering her?!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Omg that’s it! That’s exactly what she was doing. Oh my. I wonder what is bothering her?!

It could be a songbird in a tree, or something more serious, if my little dog starts barking at a squirrel Betty starts her alarm call I'd keep an eye out

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree it's probably an alarm call, and they can alarm at anything that startles or surprises them.

The egg song sounds very similar, you won't know how loud/quiet yours will be around laying time until they reach that point.

 

[Jess718]

Thank you all!