As the chicks grow older and develop within the eggs, they also begin to peep and squeak back to their mum.
Chickens are actually very vocal and they communicate with each other frequently, just like humans. Actually chickens are rarely quiet for long, unless they are sleeping. The type and range of sounds that chickens make are wide and somewhat open to human interpretation.
So, why do chickens talk to each other?
We 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.
You see, All animals have their own unique way of communicating with each other. For chickens, that communication is mostly vocal. Hens and roosters like to make themselves heard, and they use a variety of sounds to indicate different thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
While we were reading we ran into the inquiry “How many types of communication do chickens have?”.
Another answer was chickens have over 30 distinct vocalizations that communicate a wide range of information pertaining to territory, mating, nesting, distress, danger or fear, contentment and food discovery.
Do chickens vocalize?
Yes, the vocalizations that you hear in the sound bits below are me. This is my “chicken voice” and how I “speak chicken” with my flock. This is the first sound that you hear from your flock when they come up to greet you. Listen for “buh-dup” when you are out in the coop. They will use it with you and one another.
And if you use one specific sound or call for one task constantly, then they will learn the sound gradually. If you really want your chickens to respond to a certain sound, then make it constantly for same task. For example, use a specific sound while feeding them and make the same sound each time you feed them.
How to learn how to speak chicken?
The absolute best way to learn how to speak chicken is to spend time with your flock, listen to them and talk to them. Some are more talkative than others but even the shy ones will respond if you give them some one-on-one time.