Keeping a quiet flock in the suburbs

There is no such thing as a silent chicken. Hens cluck, sing the egg song after laying and sound the alarm when a hawk flies over. But some breeds are a lot calmer and quieter than others, and how you keep them matters as much as which breed you choose.

Start with no rooster

The single biggest step is skipping the rooster. Crowing is far louder and starts early in the morning. Hens do not need a rooster to lay eggs. Buy sexed pullets from a source you trust, and have a plan if one turns out to be a cockerel.

How to choose among quiet breeds

Calm, heavy breeds tend to make less fuss. Orpingtons, Australorps, Brahmas and Cochins are often named by keepers as quieter birds. If you want the smallest voice, a few Silkies are very gentle, though they lay fewer and smaller eggs. Light, active breeds like Leghorns and many hybrids tend to be more vocal, especially at laying time.

What makes hens loud

• The egg song. Many hens announce each egg. Some breeds and individual hens are louder about it.
• Boredom. Bored, confined birds make more noise. Give them things to scratch and forage.
• Crowding. Squabbling in a tight space leads to squawking.
• Predators or pests. Alarm calls at night can mean something is bothering the coop.
• A blocked nest box. A hen waiting for a box often fusses until it frees up.

Mixing breeds for a quiet flock

Mix calm breeds with calm breeds. One very talkative hen can get others going. If you keep a high-output layer for eggs, pair her with mellow companions rather than other loud breeds. Keep the flock small, which also tends to keep it within local limits.

Pitfalls for suburban keepers

Placing the coop right next to the neighbor's bedroom window is the classic mistake. Put it where sound will not carry straight into a house. Keep the area clean, since smell and flies cause as many complaints as noise. And check local rules first. Many towns limit flock size or ban roosters. Read your state rules first, then confirm with your city, since local rules often go further.

Common questions about quiet chicken breeds

Are hens loud enough to bother neighbors?

Most hens are quieter than a barking dog. The egg song is the loudest part and usually lasts a minute or two.

What is the quietest chicken breed?

Many keepers find Silkies, Orpingtons and Cochins among the quietest. Individual hens still vary.

Can I stop a hen from singing the egg song?

Not really. You can reduce other noise by keeping hens busy, uncrowded and with enough nest boxes.