ours stopped the extensive cackling a few weeks after laying the first egg. Hang in there it will get better.

Some of mine are three years old and they still cackle like its the first egg ever laid. The others join in to congratulate them. I don't think they sound as though they are in pain... more like they are bragging.

My Dad used to call eggs "cackleberries." Since getting chickens, I understand why! ;-)

Roberta,
last fall my hens went through the same thing, it was a little embarrassing with the neighbors....much worse than a little crow from a rooster because it never seemed to quit! I also remember saying it really did sound like they were in pain, they were no doubt at that time. Mine have quieted down considerably since then but they still do cackle during the day just not to the same extreme. I would give them a couple of months since they will all start to lay at different times. It may also vary depending on the breed, some are noisier than others I think. When mine get too loud I just shut the windows in the coop, this muffles the noise considerably

-Sheila

Twice I heard a hen schreeching in the hen house and I went running in to find the smallest mixed hen I have, having a fit because another hen was in "her" nest box and she wanted to get in & lay her egg!

I thought something was inside the coop killing her.

M

"Cackleberries"........I'll have to remember that one :-)

We call it egg announcements

Now you know why farmers drive tractors--so they can get some peace and quiet. :)

Young hens & roos are VERY enthusiastic about The Egg Song but usually calm down eventually when the novelty wears off. Banties are especially hysterical over the whole thing, though. They also cackle for each other, oh joy. Sometimes, when I can stand it no longer I just lean out the back door and wail pleadingly, "Shut UP!"