What's up with the 'TRILLING'

[gardendufus]

Ok,c my 6 1/2 week old BA's and BR's have cheeped, chirped, 'crooned' over treats and 'squawked' about being rounded up.

Today, the BA that I suspect will turn out to be a Roo, started (I can find no better description) TRILLING. Within a minute or so, all the older ones joined in and were trilling right along with him/her. Now not much they have done (or said) has surprised me cuz I spent a lot of time on here before I got them. But I have never heard of them making this particular sound before. Anyone have any comments?

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Maybe if you are any good at posting a video , something I don't know how to do, with them making the sound might help?.

 

[Dingo]

I've found it to mean a couple things. If they all do it, it's a happy sound and may act as a pacifier or soother. If one does it and they freeze it's a warning.

 

[gardendufus]

Glad to hear it may be a happy sound. I have a brooder inside the coop with 1 week olds. The older chicks 4 at 6 1/2 weeks old, 2 at 3 1/2 weeks old were all laying and sunning by the side of the brooder doing their trilling thing.

 

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

i have a buff orpington named rosey here in the picture. she had a problem with egg laying. i had to keep her inside my house to keep her from so much exposure to light so it would slow down her egg production. she is a pet and very important to us. we love her dearly. anyway when i would go in to sit with her as i would hold her she would make that sound. i didnt know either what but someone on her said they thought it was love. i'll take that! she loves to be held and loved on she is a very special little hen.

 

[gryeyes]

I absolutely LOVE the chicken trill! When the babies are old enough to be able to perch on the sides of the brooder is when I first heard the sound. After careful observation, I determined it was their Happy Sound.

I am particularly undone when a chicken being held in my arms, or which has started to fall asleep on my lap starts to trill.

Wait until you hear a rooster "growl.". Now THAT is startling!

 

[ci_cyfarth]

My EE makes little trilling noises! I don't hear the others doing it often, and had been putting it down to her odd genetics, but it's cool to know that others have chicks that do this.

 

[gardendufus]

Wait until you hear a rooster "growl.". Now THAT is startling!

Please pray that that doesn't happen. I have one BA that is 6 1/2 weeks old with a much more pronounced (and reddish) comb and wattles that I have a suspicious eye on. I'm NOT allowed roosters where I live and one neighbor has already warned me he won't tolerate a rooster. The only thing that keeps me hoping is that my 'rooish' bird doesn't show any aggressive traits. Guess I'm gonna have to wait for either eggs or crows........sigh. He/she is the one that started all the trilling. Has only done it that once.

 

[LilMissChz]

Mine do the same thing. Sometimes one will do it as an exclamation to something they seem to be excited about. Other times, it seems to be a pleasurable sound. When they all start doing it, it is clear they are contented. Happy, contented and relaxed chickens make that beautiful sound.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

This was very hard to get. Here is one of my dutch chickens who's around 1 month old trilling. I've heard they do this when they are happy and content. The other you hear is a easter egger trying to find a spot to roost for the night. I think the Dutch is saying chill out and go to sleep.

You hear the 'trill' at the 4 second mark. No true video, it was very dark.