The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Pomona on April 13, 2009, 09:34:08 am

Title: Noisy hens
Post by: Pomona on April 13, 2009, 09:34:08 am
I'm getting really concerned about the racket my hens are making - they've just started laying and they're as noisy as any rooster  :-[   We live in a built up area, and the neighbours are starting to get irritated - and frankly I don't blame them.

I don't want to have to give the girls up, but I am concerned enough to consider it because of the noise   :'(   Once they've laid, they're absolutely fine, but this noise goes on for a couple of hours prior to any lay and I'm really at my wits' end - help!   :(
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: flipflopper on April 13, 2009, 11:07:47 am
We're not long off getting some hens for the kids and this does concern me.

How many hens do you have and what are they?

i have read about some breads being quite noisey and the book recommending a insulted coop but in fairness to you I suspect you hear it louder than it actual is. Cant see how I could insulate the coop I've got.

Maybe if they are young hens its all a new experience to them and they will settle down with age

good luck



Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: Pomona on April 13, 2009, 02:30:13 pm
I've got three Black Rocks.  They're out of the coop once dawn arrives and then in their run.  It's not practical to keep them in their coop until they lay as we're out at work - guess I'll just have to hope that they calm down and that the neighbours bear with us...
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: doganjo on April 13, 2009, 02:35:09 pm
Does your coop have a window?  I have blackened mine so they don't know it's light, they lay better in the dark and eggs are usually laid by the time I let them out - about 8.30 - 9 ish.  Mine are Light Sussex so don't make much noise anyway, and don't have very near neighbours.  Jamie crows a lot but again darkness keeps him quiet till they are out. Can you just open the coop just minutes before you leave?
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: carl on April 13, 2009, 11:09:54 pm
hens can be noisy for various reasons. there is a distinct noise they make when agitated, and also one when they come out of the nesting box and want to reintergrate with the flock.
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: Pomona on April 14, 2009, 07:30:34 am
Thank you for the replies folks.   :)

Doganjo, I'm usually away for work at about 6.15ish, so the pop hole door gets opened when I leave.  I'll try the bit of black fabric over the window of their coop and leave them in later at weekends in the hope that it'll encourage them to have a lie-in too.

The noise is really just for the hour before they lay, when they're "brewing".  And actually, it's the one who HASN'T come into lay yet who is the most vocal  ::)  They don't make any noise any other time - they're very contented actually and the neighbours enjoy those happy clucks.  :)

A vet friend said that it's likely they're just "new" to laying and that they'll calm down to just announcing the egg's arrival (and I can distract them with a treat) - I sincerely hope that's the case  :-\ 
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: gillian on April 15, 2009, 06:56:37 pm
i am the same, i live on a housing scheme, sometimes my 2 black rocks are noisy after laying or if they want to lay but someone already in box.  It did worry me what people think but if you actuaLLY add up the mins the only make a noise for about 10 mins a day,  if i listen to the sea gulls and dogs and definatley my daughter they make noise all day,  perhaps you could give some eggs to your neighbours as a gesture.  as i type this my neighbours boy and his pals are playing football with the fence and making a noise - dont focus to much on your noisey hens as really other things are just as noisy and for longer,

cheers
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 16, 2009, 09:47:09 am
Ive got brahmas (amongst others) they appear to be the quietest of birds except Roger the cockerel who has been known to creep up behind the unsuspecting and crow very loudly.

Perhaps offer the neighbours on either side a 1/2 doz eggs and explain that the noisy period will not last long.
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: Kier on May 05, 2009, 12:19:29 am
I have this problem with my girls,they cluck rather loudly pretty much throughtout the day especially when i take them some mashed potato skins.I live in a terrace house an the neighbours seem ok-touch wood.We had a cockeral but he went after he killed one of our girls and he was the noiseest out of them all obvisiously.
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: doganjo on May 05, 2009, 12:46:39 am
Hi Keir
Is that your real name?  It's my grandson's name and is quite unusual I think.  Welcome to the forum
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: Pomona on May 10, 2009, 12:51:31 pm
Hi all, just wanted to say "thank you" for all your replies and to update you.

The worst is definitely over, thankfully!    ;D

Two of the hens don't make any noise at all now when laying, and the other hen, Grizel, bu-bu-bu-BAWKs! for about 5 mins and then quietens down again.  She's generally the noisy one anyway, likes to make it known that she's HUNGRY!!!  But thankfully, nothing so bad that we have to consider re-homing them.

We fitted an automatic door, and blackout fabric (what you've got to do, eh?) to fool them into thinking it's still night, so they don't get out now until 8am, by which time most people near us are up for work.  We also gave our next-door neighbours a key to the garden, and told them that if we were out for the day etc, and the hens were noisy, to just let themselves in and chuck in some mealworm/sultanas or something to keep the hens quiet.  We've also been giving the neighbours some eggs, and they're now actually becoming quite fond of the hens, so fingers crossed, it's going okay and we can now relax and enjoy the hens - and their eggs  :D
Title: Re: Noisy hens
Post by: dixie on May 11, 2009, 09:50:38 am
Glad to hear its working out for you! My hens yell after they've laid an egg!!  we took 3 black rocks from someone on another forum last year as they were too noisy in his garden!