Chickens are not just clucking birds; they’re also surprisingly chatty! Ever hear your chickens clucking away and wonder what they’re chatting about? Understanding these noises can give insights into their well-being and behavior.
Chickens cluck, cackles and other sounds mean something! Clucking means chickens are happy while pecking or resting. Cackling happens after laying eggs or when they’re excited or scared. Squawking warns of danger or pain. Roosters crow at dawn to mark territory. Chicks chirp when cold or hungry and wail when distressed or alone.
Want to learn more about the meaning of chicken noise? So, listen up! We’re about to crack the code on what those chicken noises mean.
Table of Contents
13 Sounds and Noises Chickens Make: What They Mean By That?
Out of curiosity, you ask, “What sound does a chicken make.” Well, I would say many noises and sounds! They have different vocalizations and it even comes with meaning as I said in the intro section.
Let’s share all the common noises chickens make and learn what they mean!
1. Clucking Noises
Clucking is the backbone of chicken communication, but those clucks have a surprising range of meanings!
- The Casual Chat: A soft, repetitive cluck is like a conversation amongst hens.
- The Food Alert: If the clucking suddenly becomes rapid and excited, with a series of quick “tucks,” it’s a food call! Roosters might use a more drawn-out cluck, like a “follow me to the good stuff” invitation, They lead the hens to a hidden stash of seeds or a particularly juicy bug.
- The Mother Hen’s Call: A mother hen has a special kind of cluck for her chicks. It’s a quiet, rhythmic sound she uses to keep them close and reassure them.
- The Distress Call: A sharp, high-pitched cluck can indicate distress. This might happen if a chick gets separated from the flock. Also, the noise comes if an adult chicken feels threatened by something unfamiliar.
- The Single Cluck: A single, loud cluck is used to get another chicken’s attention. It’s not necessarily aggressive, but more like a “hey?” kind of call.
2. Chicken Purring
Cats aren’t the only ones who can express contentment with a rumbling purr! Believe it or not, chickens purr too.
A chicken purr is a low, rumbling sound that often comes from deep within the chest. This sound signifies pure contentment and relaxation.
When Do Chickens Purr?
The most likely time to hear a chicken purr is when they’re feeling happy and secure. Here are some common scenarios.
- Cuddling Up: If you’re lucky enough to have a particularly tame chicken, you hear a soft purr.
- Dust Bath Bliss: Dust bathing is a favorite chicken activity, and a contented purr often heard as they roll around in the dirt, fluffing their feathers and enjoying the clean.
- Sunbathing Serenity: A warm sunny day is a happy day for a chicken. Listen for a gentle purr as they bask in the sun’s rays, enjoying the warmth and feeling perfectly at ease.
3. Squawking Noise
A chicken squawk isn’t good news. It’s a loud, high-pitched sound used for one purpose: danger!
So, why is my chicken squawking at me? Repeated squawking means serious trouble, while a startled squawk might indicate a sudden spook. Either way, it’s a call to action for the flock to seek cover or flee.
4. Crowing Sound
The rooster’s crow is a loud, proud proclamation that echoes across the farmyard. The sound is like “cock-a-doodle-doo.”
It’s a one-two punch: declaring dominance over territory to keep other roosters at bay, and attracting hens with his charms.
5. Danger Calls
High-pitched screams or screeches are the alarm for aerial predators like hawks soaring overhead. Loud, repeated clucking or squawking signals a ground threat like a sneaky fox on the prowl.
These calls are the flock’s urgent message to take cover!
6. Gossiping Gleans
That low murmur or series of clucks you hear amongst the flock?
It is believed they are gossiping about the worm hen found in the garden. Or it’s something like sharing tips on the best dust bathing spots.
7. Noises of Layer Chickens
Chicken do a loud, drawn-out cackle after they lay an egg. It indicates “I did it!” kind of noise. But it might also be a way to alert other hens to a potential communal nesting site.
8. Chirping Chicks
Happy chicks are like little chirping sunshine! Their soft, high-pitched chirps signify contentment. Also, chickens chirp a lot when they’re in distress or need something.
9. Wailing Chicks
A high-pitched wail is a chick’s distress signal.
It means they’re lost, separated from the flock, hungry, cold, or feeling threatened. It’s their way of saying “Help, mama!” in the most heart-wrenching way possible.
10. Hissing Fury
A forceful hiss is a warning sign, like a viper’s hiss but with feathers.
Hens use it to protect their chicks and roosters use it during disagreements. It indicates aggression or fear, so listen up and give them some space!
11. Grumbling and Muttering
Low growls or mutters are the sounds of discontent.
They often happen during disagreements between chickens, like a grumble saying “Move over, that worm is mine!” or a mutter of “You stepped on my tail!”
12. Trilling and Cooing
Soft trills or coos are sweet sounds of contentment and affection.
You might hear them during courtship or bonding between chickens. It’s like a gentle murmur that says “I like you!”
Related Article: Why Baby Chicks Chirp So Much
13. Other Sounds and Body Language
Body language like puffed-up feathers, lowered wings, or a raised tail tells you a lot about a chicken’s mood.
- Puffed-up feathers can signal aggression, dominance, or fear, depending on the context.
- Lowered wings often indicate submission or appeasement.
- A raised tail can be a sign of alertness or excitement.
Pay attention to their posture to get the full conversation.
See the following videos to understand chickens’ noise.
FAQs
Want to learn more about chicken noises? Check the FAQ section!
Q: What sound does a chicken make in words?
Chickens don’t speak words. But they communicate through a variety of clucks, squawks, trills, and other sounds.
Q: How many different calls do chickens have?
Chickens have a surprising number of calls. There is no specific number of chicken calls.
Q: How do chickens say “I love you”?
There’s no single “love you” sound, but soft trills and coos between chickens can indicate affection and bonding.
Q: Why do chickens make a crying sound?
High-pitched cries from chicks often mean they’re distressed, lost, or cold. Hens might also cry if separated from their chicks.
Q: Why do chickens make screaming noises?
Screaming sounds an alarm for aerial predators like hawks. It’s the chicken way of yelling “Danger above!”
Q: What sound does a chicken make in the morning?
The most likely morning sound is a rooster’s crow, his loud proclamation of dominance and a way to attract hens.
Final Word
When you truly listen to chicken sounds, you enter a world of communication. Imagine a happy hen clucking while pecking, or proud cackles post-egg-laying. Squawks warn of danger, and a rooster’s crow asserts dominance. Chirping chicks are content, and wailing signals distress. Each of the noises has meaning!
By understanding these sounds and watching body language, you connect with chickens. You can do something for their well-being!
