Chickens Cluck With Human Mouths Funny

Did you know that chickens can produce over 24 distinct sounds/calls?

If you answered yes – you are right, but do you know what each of them means?

Research has shown us that they talk about a lot of things – from food to danger.

They can combine these noises to make even more 'dialog' and tailor the dialog to the chicken they are talking to, as humans do.

This article will talk about the most common chicken sounds you will hear from your flock and what each of them means.

Chicken Noises: The Egg Song

Of all the vocalizations of the chicken world, I think everyone knows this one!

The happy cackling of hens following the 'laying of the egg' ceremony is quite unmistakable. The hen that laid the egg leads off, with her sisters joining in for the chorus.

This can go on for extended periods, especially if several of the ladies happen to be lying around the same time.

A slight variation on the egg song can be heard when the favorite nest box is taken. The hen that is waiting for 'her' nest box will start to do an urgent egg song rendition.

The song takes on an edge – as if she is trying to get the other hen to move to another box. T

his rarely works; the only hen I ever saw take notice of this was a young pullet, and she fled the nest, giving up to the complainant!

Chicken Noises: Coop Chatter

I always greet my ladies with a 'good morning' when I open up the coop. Several of them will answer me back with the chicken equivalent of a greeting.

If I'm late in opening the coop, they will scold me in no uncertain terms, accusing me of lying in bed wasting the day!

When putting them in for the night, I sometimes listen to the coop chatter as they settle down for the night; murmuring, trills, and contented sounds abound.

Chicken Noises: Broody Hens and Grumbles

A broody hen is unmistakable. She has laid her eggs and is now sitting, waiting for them to hatch.

If you disturb her on the nest, or a flock-mate gets too close, she will growl.

Yes, chickens can growl! This is the warning to stay away from her, her hormones are raging, and she wants to be a Mama.

If you don't heed the warning, you are liable to get a hefty peck or several until you leave.

Some broodies will scream at you, rather like a tantrum or hissy fit. This, combined with the fluffed up and evil look, is designed to keep you away!

Broodies do get off the nest about once a day, usually. During this time, she will be fluffed up, bad-tempered, and clucking urgently and constantly.

I think this is her way of saying everyone out of my way – I have to get back to the nest.

If you stop and watch her, all the other hens will move out of her way and give her plenty of space.

Whatever she is actually saying, it seems to work very well to warn the other hens.

Chicken Noises: Content Murmurs

When you see a flock of chickens moving across the yard, you will usually hear a low murmuring sound.

This murmuring has been likened to contentment; it is also one way that the flock keeps safe.

Hens will generally range within earshot of each other, they can hear each other, and if anyone sounds the alarm, they know instantly where the alarm came from.

Some hens (and roosters, too) enjoy lap time with their keepers; here's especially content one.

Chicken Noises: Alarm or Danger Sounds

Chickens have a very sophisticated range of alarms for danger. There are distinct calls for aerial predators and ground predators.

If your flock starts to make urgent cackling and appears to be agitated – investigate! Although you may not be able to detect the danger, you can be sure something upset them.

The appearance of a human will usually deter most predators from having chicken for lunch.

Chicken Noises: Mother and Chick

The talking between a mother hen and her chicks starts before they are even born! She will cluck and purr softly while sitting on the eggs or moving them around under her.

This early talking enables the chick to pick out its mother's voice from a group of chickens together.

Towards the final hours of the hatch, you can hear them talking back to their Mama. In this way, she encourages them to break out of the shell and reassurance that they are safe.

It has also been proven that Mother hens can modify their teaching of the chicks based on their understanding and aptitude.

If the chick is a slow learner, Mama will slow down the speed of the lessons until the chick understands.

If you have ever had chicks that got separated from Mama, you instantly recognize the frantic peeping of "I'm lost, where's Mama?". The Mother will rush to the chicks' aid and bring it back to the safety of the nest.

Researchers believe that this shows empathy, something that chickens have in common with humans and primates.

If Mama senses danger, she will emit a soft 'grrrrrrr' sound. The chicks will either freeze in position or run to Mama for protection. She can also use a soft, low-pitched clucking to warn her chicks to be still.

If you have raised chicks without a Mama, you will need to listen carefully to the sounds they make – they can tell you a lot.

Soft peeps and trills are contented sounds. They are happy with life. If you hear high-pitched insistent peeps, something is wrong. Perhaps the brooder is too hot/cold, food has run out, or no water is available.

Pay attention to what they are telling you, and you will have happy and healthy chicks.

You will hear a startled peep/squawk now and then – usually, someone has been pecked, or something surprised them.

You will hear this sound from adult birds' too – almost like 'what was that?'

Chicken Noises: Food Calls

A mother calling her chicks to food uses a series of 'tuk, tuk, tukking' noises similar to a rooster. This alerts the chick to a tasty morsel. To encourage eating it, she will pick it up and drop it a few times until the chick gets the idea.

Adult hens too use the 'tuk, Tuk noises to denote pleasure associated with food. It is generally reserved for special items such as treats.

Chicken Noises: The Quiet Chicken

There really is no such thing!

Although some birds may not be as vocal as others, they all 'talk.' The shyer birds will not talk as much as those higher up the pecking order, but if you make an effort to spend some time with them, they usually do talk.

If one of your chatty birds is not talking, somethings not right. Check her over to make sure she's ok. Keep an eye on her just in case – perhaps she's just having an 'off day.'

Chickens can get depressed, but it is usually over an event in her life. Maybe she had to be isolated for a while – as a social creature, this is traumatic for her.

This is why I don't separate a hen from the flock unless it is necessary.

Another event that can lead to depression or withdrawal is a death of a favorite flock-mate.

Some hens do form strong bonds with others, and death can lead to isolation.

Although they may not vocalize 'depression' as such, you will notice from their behaviors and subdued vocal responses that something is wrong.

Summary on Chicken Noises

There are still those who say chickens don't have language and that people are guilty of anthropomorphism.

Everyone is allowed their point of view, but increasingly science shows just how wrong our assumptions have been about animals and birds and their ability to communicate.

Allow yourself to sit and spend time with your birds. Watch their interactions, listen to their conversations; you will be amazed at what you learn!

If you haven't already, you will hear that different birds have different vocalizations, and you can pick out individual hens from the crowd.

Let us know the noises your chickens make in the comments section below…

READ NEXT : The Quietest Chicken Breeds For Every Purpose

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Source: https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-noises-and-sounds/