What was she thinking!

[mrs918]

I was woken up this AM by one of my girls bawking at the top of her lungs. At first I thought my neighbors kid had some kinda loud squeaky horn thing... but quickly realized my chickens were the culprits! I run out back praying that they are ok... just to find June my RIR pacing back in forth in her run "bawking". The other three were by themselves sitting calmly in the coop. I still have NO clue what her issue was! Once I came out she calmed down, and didn't do it again.

Was she upset cos I was later than normal getting up and checking on them?! That seems outlandish... But Im at a loss.
I am 90% sure she's a she and not a he...(I posted her on here, and most people agreed on a she verdict)
the bawking was nothing like an attempt at a crow. But Im now questioning myself...
I was hoping it was the "egg song" but no eggs as of yet... They are just about 16 weeks now.

Anyways... here's to hoping it doesn't become a habit!


The culprit a few weeks ago...She's pretty much the same now

 

[hennyannie]

She is probably just practicing the song for later. The two RIRs I have in my flock right now are the loudest most vocal of all. They seem to want to alert folks two states away that they layed an egg.

 

[mrs918]

Well I hope you're right ! I can't wait for the first eggs ...though that bawking may not rest well with the neighbors. We are in the city....

 

[ranchhand]

Hmmm.... a noisy hen sometimes settles down when she starts laying. But not always!

I looked at your other post- despite the thinner legs, I'm wondering if you don't have a slow-developing rooster after all.

 

[theoldchick]

Big Sister can really let loose when she lays an egg. She'll talk about it for 15 minutes.

Little Sister, however, is very quiet about her egg laying abilities.

 

[mrs918]

Quote:
Oh hope not....i really don't want to have to get rid of "her". But being in the city I won't have much choice!

 

[Pele]

Unfortunately RIRs are braggers as a general rule. My friend has two of them, and I've personally been nearby when their big RIR hen lays. Let me tell you, that little lady spends about half an hour making a fuss over the fact that she's laid.

Hens DO get more vocal when they get near laying. Most of them eventually quiet down, but RIRs seem to have a different definition of 'quiet down'.


I sympathize with your position, I am a city chicken owner too. I had to make sure that I picked the quietest breeds possible over the breeds I originally wanted. I wouldn't give away my sex-links for the world now though

 

[ThinkingChickens]

To be honest, chickens are louder than I thought they would be. My BR makes a ton of noise when she lays. My Delaware is practicing for the big day like crazy.

 

[MetalSmitten]

probably the egg song

your neighbors would really complain for 15 minutes of bocking a day? there are dogs that bark more than that... you could always insulate/soundproof their coop a little better to muffle her song.

 

[mrs918]

I'm crossing my fingers for the "egg song"!! My neighbors probably wouldn't complain .... But I just don't want to be the one causing issues either.