This Emily Price Post may stop affiliate links .
Share this post or pin it for later !
Did you know that chickens have their own unique linguistic process which they use to intercommunicate with each other ? Those interference you try coming from a chicken cage are n’t just meaningless gripe – they ’re constantly passing on information , word of advice , or just recount each other how they feel . Adorable !

Image Credit: Deposit Photos
So , to facilitate you sympathize the language of chickens , we ’ve identified the unparalleled sounds that chickens make and what they entail .
1. Clucking
Ask any preschooler what noise chickens make , and they ’ll say “ clucking cluck ” ! This is the contented sound that hen make as they go about their day , signaling that everything is tranquil and good in the world . You will hear this sound mostly when the hen are forage or first thing in the morning when they pucker outdoors for breakfast .
2. Cackling (AKA the “egg song”)
Aah , the wonderful testis song ! As the name suggests , this delirious “ bawk - bawk - bawk ” crybaby auditory sensation is usually heard after the biddy has laid an testicle . Sometimes other hens in the flock and even the cock will get together in , create a grand Greek chorus of celebratory song !
animate being behaviorists are unsure of the design of the egg birdsong – some think they are call to the rooster to be escorted from the nest , while others think they could be take in the attention of likely egg - eating predator aside from their fresh laid bollock .
3. Crowing
The loud “ putz - a - scrabble - doo ” call of the rooster serves as a territorial declaration of their position as the flock leader . bragging is most commonly heard at dawn to recognize the morning , but roosters will also crow during the day when they are guarding their flock . Individual rooster often have very distinctive call and they will triumph in response to hear other rooster a considerable distance off .
4. Purring
Chickens will make a cushy , gentle “ purr ” or “ coo ” speech sound when they are content or relaxed , showing that they find safe and protected . It ’s often heard when they are roosting , soaking up sunlight , or simply string up out together in a junk bath . Mother hens will also purr to their chick as reassurance that they are safe , warm , and protected .
5. Chirping
To human ears , infant chicks might all vocalise the same , but a mother biddy can recognize her sister ’s chirps from up to 20 meters out . These high - pitch tones can show many things , include hungriness , discomfort , or distress .
6. Growling
When a hen is defending her nest or feel threatened , she will give out a low , croaky growling . This is a protective strait , warning others to stay away from her eggs or unseasoned chicks . The hen may also ruffle her feathers to make herself look larger and more threatening .
7. Squawking
Squawking normally go on when a chicken is startled or frightened , perhaps because a likely menace is nearby or there is some squabbling between the flock . This sound is perhaps most like a human scream – an unvoluntary noise that bespeak distraint or fear .
8. Alarm call
consternation shout in chickens are fascinating , as they can vary concord to the locating of the threat . Roosters normally have one tawdry beef disturbance for ariel piranha and another for terror on the footing , helping to instantaneously alert the sight to the position of whatever he has spot . If the flock does n’t have a cock , the most dominant hen will sometimes take on this function .
As well as the initial alarm call , many roosters will continue to warn the flock by making a racket very standardized to the bollock song . It is very rough-cut for the hen to join in too , in which case they can make a considerable racquet !
9. Grumbling
The grumbling noise that chicken make indicates that they are in a relaxed state and typically hap when they are forage or relaxing . This is a conversational sound that point they are contented and serene , often made while nag around for food for thought or during societal interactions with the other members of the flock .
10. Peeping
You ’d be intemperately - push to secern the difference of opinion between a chick peeping or chirping , but their mother can recognize the difference between these speech sound . A repetitive , light “ cheep - cheep ” sound is a signaling of contentment or the pauperism for reassurance from their mother . It is typically made when chicks are looking for their mother , especially when they are trying to come up her after being separated .
11. Whining
A long , draw - out “ whimper ” is made by hens who are frustrated , often when they are trying to lay an egg but ca n’t find an ideal place to do so . Our hens often do this when there is a queue for their favorite nesting box or if they are struggling to get comfy .
12. Food call
The food call is a serial publication of easy but rapid “ chur - chur ” or “ brr - brr ” sounds , often accompanied by excited scratch or pecking at the ground . This noise is normally made by roosters and mother hens and indicate that a tasty food source has been found . The intellectual nourishment call is guaranteed to bring the rest of the raft running in the hope that they ’ll be first to get to the delicious treat !
13. Cooing
Roosters sometimes make a soft insistent cooing disturbance when promote hen to nest in a safe , quiet area . He may also huff out his thorax or even act as a “ lookout ” to ensure the hen feel well-heeled and protect as they settle down to put . This endearing behavior strengthen his role as the protector and leader of the flock and increases his luck of procreative success .
14. Lost call
The lost call is typically a series of richly - pitched , drawn - out “ whines ” or “ chirps , ” often more intense or urgent than their common cluck or chirping . new skirt make this phone if they get separated from their female parent or siblings , and even adult chickens will make the mislay call if they ’re isolated or shy of their surroundings . This sound is essentially a “ Where are you ? ” call that allows the flock to situate each other and is heard more commonly in devoid - ranging chickens .
15. The ‘pre-lay’ call
When a hen is searching for the staring place to lay her egg , she will make a serial of low , rhythmic cluck or murmurs that increase in intensity and absolute frequency as the hen pay off closer to laying . This call generally stops once the biddy has settled into a nesting boxful , at which point she goes into a trance - corresponding land until the egg is laid .
19 Things You Should Know Before Getting Chickens
Before you jump into the mankind of chicken - retention , there are a few essential things to know . Here ’s our comprehensive pathfinder of 19 all-important tip to help you become a confident and successful wimp proprietor !
How to Choose a Heritage Chicken Breed for Your Homestead
Many nester put up heritagebreed chickenson their land for eggs , pith , or both . Here are the good way to select a heritage breed over a hybrid or yield stock .
How to opt a Heritage Chicken Breed for the Home
How to Raise Your Own Chickens
Here ’s a guide on how to raise your own chickens to lay ballock and use up meat .

















