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They announce to the rest of the flock what they have done.

This clucking usually starts a few minutes after the egg is laid and continues for about three or four minutes. If you want them to stop just throw them something to eat like a handful of chicken food and they will stop yelling.

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My observation of free-range chickens contradicts the above. Given the right environment, a chicken will hide its nest and sit quietly while laying. It waits until well after laying an egg and moves some distance away from the nest before clucking. This all points to a more common bird behavior : drawing the attention of potential predators away from the nest.

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I agree with the second observation made here. My life long observation of free-range chickens also, is to more of cackling than clucking. A cluck is a very subtle and low tone "wine". Where is a cackle is loud and announcing. The hen will cackle to announce to the rooster that she is ready to go to her nest. Once the rooster has scouted the area and sees that it is safe he will begin to cackle. The hen will very quietly, slowly and evasively go to the nest. All the while pecking on the ground as if she has no plan to go to a nest. The rooster will stay local until she is done laying. She will cackle very shortly and subtly to notify the rooster that she is ready to leave the nest. He will began cackling when the coast is clear for her to leave the nest. The hen will run from the nest to near the rooster.

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14y ago

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