It's Not Just The Boys That Make a Noise…
Today, we’re going to talk about something that many new and old chicken owners find both intriguing and sometimes baffling—the vocalisations of chickens. Yes, your hens have a lot to say, and understanding their language can help you care for them even better. Some noises are good, some are an indication of illness - so lets dive in.
Basic Sounds
Let's start with the basics. Chickens make different sounds for various reasons, apart from the obvious noise the boys make, here are some of the most common:
Clucks: A standard, everyday sound, usually indicating contentment or a casual conversation between hens, or saying hello to you when you pop in to give them food, this is a good noise and says your hens are happy and healthy.
Purring: Yes, chickens purr! It's a low, rumbling sound often heard when they're settled and feeling safe - this can however also be confused with a “gurgling noise” which is definitely a bad noise.
Gurgling: Often, the first sign of a respiratory illness is a gentle gurgling noise, they may make it on and off, or they make it constantly. If then hen otherwise looks well, then you usually have a couple of days to give an over-the-counter tonic, something from Amazon like this does the job really well and helps with recovery, but will also help with prevention if you give it to the rest of the flock at the same time.
Rattling Noise: This is very similar to the gurgling, and would definitely benefit by buying one of the respiratory treatments available over the counter, Amazon has another product, Breath Easy which also helps immensely,
Growls: If you hear a growling sound, there’s a chance your hen is annoyed or feels threatened. It might happen if someone invades their personal space, usually seen when the are getting comfortable to lay an egg!. Growling isn't a sign of illness, but is a sign that you may be about to get a peck on the hand if you reach under her to get a freshly laid egg!
Egg Song: This is a series of loud clucks and sometimes squawks that a hen (and sometimes the whole flock) will make after laying an egg. It's like a mini celebration! Sometimes they like to tell you when they are even just thinking about laying an egg.. it's quite sweet when everyone else in the coop joins in!
Alarm Calls: When something isn’t right, chickens will let each other know. High-pitched and urgent, these calls serve as a warning for potential danger, they may squawk, they may sound like the egg song. Whenever I hear this kind of noise, I do tend to at least look out over the garden towards that area and check there are no predators.
Complete Silence: Now, this one is almost a little bit scary, because other than when they are getting ready to go to sleep, they are rarely completely silent. In my experience it tends to be when the are wary, maybe there is a buzzard in the sky or a fox at the bottom of the garden. Hens that are feeling unwell are also usually silent, they make very little noise as they don't want to attract attention to themselves. Silence is rarely a good sign, and I would always look for either predators or illness in your birds.
Engaging with Your Flock
As you spend more time with your chickens, you'll become better at understanding their sounds. Here are some tips:
Observe: Spend some time each day simply watching your chickens and listening to them, you will get to know YOUR chickens, especially the noisy ones!!
Note Changes: A change in vocalisation can indicate a change in mood, health, or social dynamics. Keep an ear out for anything unusual.
Respond: Chickens get used to the sounds of their keepers, too! Talk to your chickens in a calm, reassuring tone to foster trust, and they will chatter right back to you.
In summary, chickens are more vocal than many people realise. They communicate about their environment, their feelings, and their needs through a variety of vocalisations. By learning to recognise these different sounds, you’ll develop a deeper, more enriched relationship with your feathered friends.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your custom and are always here to help you make the most of your chicken-keeping journey. Until next time, cheers from all of us in East Sussex! Keep clucking along! 🐔
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