Why do hens yell when they are done laying?

[ranchhand]

Quote:
D. All of the above.

Some announce they are fixin' to, some announce they are, some announce they already have and the rooster anounces he should get all the credit! I've had as many as 50 or so- some yell, some don't. But it does seem to be contagious.

Agree with wifezilla- my ducks are very private!

 

[viktoriacl]

 

[Monk422]

Ours are new layers as well. And yes, so far everytime before during and after they HOLLA. It's hysterical. The kids think it's awesome. I don't think the chickens are amused w/ what they can do. That's why I always ask how the chickens are whenever I see the extra huge eggs that are posted.

 

[ScotianChick]

Mine only yell if they can't find the rest of the flock after laying cause my girls free range. The rooster usually runs over to investigate if that happens. Oh and Alabama yells before she lays if someone else is in the coop, heaven forbid someone might see her

 

[viktoriacl]

So strange! I thought there would be one concrete answer! I dont think of them really "Thinking" much. I see it all as instinct. Guess thats why I thought there was one answer.

Who knew?

 

[Coopa Cabana]

"fresh Eggs!! - Come & Get Your Breakfast!!"

 

[gryeyes]

The Egg Song goes something like this:

First stanza:

Bok bok bok bok bok bok bok bok. Bokbokbokbokbokbok! Bok BOK BOK BOK BOK! Bawk bawk bawk bawk buh-GAWK!

And the rest of the stanzas are exactly the same. Ad infinitum!

Oh, and it IS the same song, but in a different cadence, for "Something Dangerous!" (Rather like Harrison's "My Sweet Lord," the Chiffon's "He's So Fine" and the Edwin Hawkins Singers' "Oh Happy Day" - different ways for the same song to be sung for different purposes. Kinda.)

Anyway, there is some reliable study indicating the Egg Song IS an alert, not just bragging, to draw predators away from the nest after the eggs are laid. And also to let her flock-mates know where she is after she has hidden to lay her eggs, so they respond and she can return to the flock.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:

 

[viktoriacl]

Anyway, there is some reliable study indicating the Egg Song IS an alert, not just bragging, to draw predators away from the nest after the eggs are laid. And also to let her flock-mates know where she is after she has hidden to lay her eggs, so they respond and she can return to the flock.

I'm going with that! Its a study! I like studies! Lol Thanks! Makes sense too!​

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
I'm going with that! Its a study! I like studies! Lol Thanks! Makes sense too!

Yeah, that. Similar to how if you get too close to some species of bird nests, the mom will flop around on the ground away from the nest to draw "predator" attention away. Of course, then there are crows, which will not only try and pick you to death, they will remember you and will ALWAYS go and attack you if you are within range. Too smart for their own good.