[jinty1911]

The 2 big girls have started making a racket in the last 2 or 3 weeks and now the neighbours have started complaining.  They are bok bok boarkkkkking all the time and I don't know what to do to shut them up.  It starts at 7am every morning and continues all morning.  Any suggestions?

[sheridan]

Mine do that when they wake for 5 mins, when laying, and when the kids are noisy. I have found that if I rush out and feed them after laying , they stop the morning sun worship noise. I am lucky though, I back onto fields, and our gardens are 250 ft long, so it's not a problem for anyone, really.

[ANHBUC]

My Black Rocks do that and pace up and down the boundary fence when they are ready to lay.  I take the individual who is making the noise and shut her in the coop for 20 minutes or so.  She settles down in the nest box and does the business.  When she comes out she is nice and quiet.  Hope this helps.   

[tesni]

Could you not keep them in a little longer in the mornings - I love my girls but if they woke me before I was ready I would be cross too!  I tend to keep them in later on weekend mornings to give my neighbours a lie-in.  An olive branch of a few eggs to the grumpy ones with a promise you are trying to work out a way to minimise their racket may help.  Good luck. 

[ManicMum]

Our girls aren't let out until about 8 in the morning - later at weekends as I like my lie in.  Sometimes we hear a bit of muttering from the coop but it's not too bad.

I liike the suggestion of a few fresh eggs - that might soften their hearts.

It could be worth talking to the neighbours (those who have complained & those who haven't) to establish exactly what the problem is: some people don't do mornings, some people might be startled by the explosion of 'Hey look at this egg I've laid'.  People who work nights, or weird shifts, really struggle with normal daytime noises.  Once you've got a clearer idea of what the issue is, you can target your changes better.

[Beano]

Ours make a racket in the coop and are quieter once they've been let out. Mind you having said that, two of them are very loud and with shout if they know I'm about.  Are yours creating because of boredom? Try keeping them occupied  with a cabbage or something equally enjoyable. I would try and bribe the neighbours with eggs also. Sorry I  can't be of more help

[helens-hens]

I guess it would help if we knew what this particular call signifies? I know the sound your hens are making, one of mine seems to go through phases of doing this and I notice that it is usually when she is by herself, the other hen being in the nesting box, laying. If I open the window or go out the back she usually stops.

I don't know how easy it would be to do this but I think it would be useful if we could have a library of hen calls (using sound files) on the forum along with a description of what is thought to be their meaning. Would this be a possibility?

[gracie]

My chicks are only just over a fortnight old. From what you are all saying, if we set a regular pattern of opening the door, once they are in the coop will they will be happy with that. Our coop is quite large so it's not like they don't have room to move about when they are in there

[cejx]

all our neighbours get free eggs.  And come Easter I shall do them little decorated ones - pure bribery and nothing more!  If you go to ebay, you can get little 4 egg boxes.  I'm a packaging designer, so have done some graphics and the neighbours wouldn't dare complain now!

[Squiggly]

Good idea Cejx, I may have to get some picures and egg boxes ready for if/when my girls or any new ones make a racket 

Jinty sorry but I can't really add any more than what the others have said, would be easier for you to work out what to do about the girls if you could work out whats wrong, whether its a new cat getting in the garden, they are bored, want to lay an egg etc...

But I definitely think bribing them with eggs is the way forward 

[taximan]

i dont know what is wrong with some people.you expect a bit of noise from a few chickens. ive got dogs and people around me that would put my chickens noise to shame.wo be tide anybody that knocks on my door to complain. no law says you cant keep chickens.

[ehs284]

They can be very noisy - ours are! Squiggly's bribes are a good idea and a good explanation (!) that they will quieten when the spring becomes summer. Taximan's attitude is asking for problems. Noise is a statutory nuisance  and it doesn't matter what causes it. The penalties could be quite high starting with a notice which effectively stops you having hens. You might get good advice from the very people who would prosecute you - environmental health officers. Much of their work involves problem solving without formal action. Give the local one a ring and ask their views on any action you could take.

[jinty1911]

They don't just do it now and again, it's from 6.50 (on Sunday) and in the afternoon.  They have plenty of things to do but seem to get carried away with themselves.  They bok bok to get out in the morning, Bok bok if they want to lay, bok bok if someone else is laying and just seem to bok bok for no reason.
My daughter came in this afternoon when I was at work and said the noise was dreadfull.  Really don't want to fall out with the neighbours.  I have lived here for 22 years with no trouble, so I think I will have to rehome them.  I have been talking to a lady that has a large mixed flock that free range about 5 miles away, who is willing to take them.  Just have to make the desicion.   

[bantam novice]

Oh Jinty you have loved having those hens, especially when they jumped up into your lap.   

[ANHBUC]

Would try my remedy first and any others posted by other members.  Don't jump the gun, they might settle down soon.  Fingers crossed.

My Black Rocks do that and pace up and down the boundary fence when they are ready to lay.  I take the individual who is making the noise and shut her in the coop for 20 minutes or so.  She settles down in the nest box and does the business.  When she comes out she is nice and quiet.  Hope this helps.