White Leghorn - help me understand her

[spiiffy]

New chicken mom question: My sweet 18 week white leghorn laid her first egg yesterday. She spent hours sitting on it and when she finally came out of the coop she spent the rest of the day yelling. Not the egg laying song but literally screeching. All morning today she has been yelling and finally about an hour ago went into the nest box and has been in there and quiet ever sense. I literally cannot believe how loud she has become. Is she broody, hurt or just irked and surprised by her new capabilities of egg laying?

 

[sourland]

It's all about the hormones. Most settle down as they get further into the egg laying cycle - some remain vocal. She is just being normal - nothing to worry about.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I wouldn't worry too much, she's just letting the world know she's a big girl now. She's gorgeous btw.

 

[DaisyG2317]

She is so pretty

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I had to chuckle when I read your post. I've found that pullets vary in their vocalizations just like us women. Some seldom announce their egg while other go on for several minutes. I had a black Easter Egger that had a very loud, gravely voice. She was unique and we alway knew when she had layed her egg. It will be interesting to see if your white leghorn will continue to be vocal.

By the way, I read that the reason they vocalize after they've laid is that in their evolution they would take 30 minutes to sit in the grass and lay. Meanwhile, their flock had moved on without them so they would vocalize to call out and the flock members would answer to help them reunite. Chickens are fascinating! Have fun with them!

 

[LJ33]

mine are LOUD around egg laying....lol, its normal.

 

[ella]

I’m sure she’s fine. I had a black Sumatra pullet celebrate her first egg two days in advance. By the time she finally laid it she had completely lost her voice. She did settle down after that and was never quite as enthusiastic.

 

[aart]

By the way, I read that the reason they vocalize after they've laid is that in their evolution they would take 30 minutes to sit in the grass and lay. Meanwhile, their flock had moved on without them so they would vocalize to call out and the flock members would answer to help them reunite. Chickens are fascinating! Have fun with them!

Yes! Also before laying to get escorted to nest site.

I once had a groups of pullets at onset of lay that were all so LOUD I had to close the windows of my house to work over the phone.