Why do Hens Sing the Egg Song?

For those of us that keep chickens, the egg song is a wonderful sound. It means that your chickens are happily laying you some delicious eggs! For those of you that don't keep chickens, you are still most likely familiar with the sound. The "bawk bawk bawk ba kaw" sound that many people associate with chickens is in fact, the egg song! If you have never heard the egg song before, scroll down to watch a video of one of our barred rocks, or watch it on youtube here.

Most people do not realize quite how vocal chickens are until they spend some time with them. They aren't only vocal when they lay their eggs, they also make sounds of purring, growling, predator warnings, squawking, calling chicks to food, quieter clucking to each other and of course roosters crowing. Certain breeds are more talkative than others and some chickens are louder or quieter depending on their personality. 

There are certain sounds I recognize from my flock to mean certain things. If one of them is unhappy about something, they will let us know. Both the rooster and the hens make a certain sound when a hawk is flying overhead. If one of them gets startled by something, you'll hear it! Our rooster is always calling the girls over for some yummy treat he has just discovered. 

Hens will sing the egg song after they have laid an egg. Or join in after someone else lays an egg. Sometimes the whole flock will all join in together singing the egg song! So why do they sing? There are a couple of opinions on why. The first is that the chicken is proud and happy that she has laid an egg and is announcing it to the rest of her flock. Any chickens nearby may join in on the celebratory song! The second reason is by singing the egg song, she can call to the rest of the flock, who may be out of sight, and they can find each other. I have certainly seen our girls come out of the coop in search of the rest of the flock who are out of sight. Either way, it's a happy sound!