Yes, hens are noisy: Here’s what you can do

In the video below, I explain why chickens are noisy, what kind of noises they make, and what you can do to keep noises to a minimum.

Video highlights

Myth: Chickens are quiet.

Chickens are not quiet. This is an unfortunate myth that’s been floating around the internet for far too long.

Truth: Your chickens’ noise level will vary based on many factors, but all chickens do make noise.

Flighty breeds and great layers tend to be noisier chickens on average. Noise level tends to go up before, during, and after egg-laying, and also increases with certain management problems, such as not enough space or not enough activities for chickens to do.

Bored chickens are noisy chickens.

The amount of noise your chickens make may vary drastically depending on breed, strain, and even individual.

Below is a list of chicken breeds that tend to be noisier than others on average:

• Ancona

• Andalusian

• Appenzeller Spitzhauben

• Barnevelder

• Bearded d'Anvers

• Bearded d'Uccle

• Buckeye

• Campine

• Delaware

• Egyptian Fayoumi

• Faverolles

• Hamburg

• Houdan

• Japanese Bantam

• Jersey Giant

• Lakenvelder

• Leghorn

• Minorca

• New Hampshire

• Old English Game

• Penedesenca

• Polish

• Red Sex Link

• Rhode Island Red

• Sebright

• Serama

• Sicilian Buttercup

• Silkie

• Sultan

• Sussex

• White-Faced Black Spanish

• Wyandotte

You may have noticed some trends here. In general, breeds who lay well (e.g., Leghorns), have flighty temperaments (e.g., Anconas), and/or are somewhat wild (e.g., Egyptian Fayoumis) tend to be noisier.

How to prevent or reduce chicken noise

A lot of chicken noises—like those around egg-laying time—can’t be prevented. An insulated coop may help to dampen the noises to some degree.

If chickens are noisy because they’re unhappy with their coop and run set up, give them more space or provide them with more to do in their runs. Put down bedding they can forage in. Add some perches, tunnels, shelters, or objects for them to move around and explore.

Talk to neighbors before you get chickens to make sure they’re okay with some extra noise. Consider giving all your neighbors free eggs as a surprise gift as soon as your hens start laying. Your neighbors will more likely view your chickens—and their noise—in a positive light.

Also, don’t buy noisier breeds (listed above) if you suspect noise may be a problem where you live and don’t buy breeds that need more space than you’re prepared to give them.

Watch the video at the top of this post for more details on all of these topics.

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