Is it weird that when I talk to my chickens, they shake their heads very fast?

[thechickenchacha]

So when I go up to their house, they stare at me and try looking at me by turning their head facing one eye looking at me. Chickens can’t look straight. And when I talk to them, they shake their heads now. I don’t think they did that before or maybe they always do when I talk to them. My voice is a little high pitch mixed with a mouse. People tell me to please speak up. When I talk to the chickens, they don’t peep or make sound when I talk and shake their head as if they’re sneezing. They do it when it’s almost bedtime, though. They stare at me then shake their heads. Does it irritate them? Does my voice bother them? Is it too loud for them? I try whispering to them but same thing. I feel sad that they hate my voice. How will I talk to them? What kind of noises do they like? Thanks.

 

[CCB Chakotay Chicken]

So when I go up to their house, they stare at me and try looking at me by turning their head facing one eye looking at me. Chickens can’t look straight. And when I talk to them, they shake their heads now. I don’t think they did that before or maybe they always do when I talk to them. My voice is a little high pitch mixed with a mouse. People tell me to please speak up. When I talk to the chickens, they don’t peep or make sound when I talk and shake their head as if they’re sneezing. They do it when it’s almost bedtime, though. They stare at me then shake their heads. Does it irritate them? Does my voice bother them? Is it too loud for them? I try whispering to them but same thing. I feel sad that they hate my voice. How will I talk to them? What kind of noises do they like? Thanks

Chickens love to be communicated with. It is probably not because they don't like your voice, but that they are using body language to try and "talk back" in a sense. Chickens ears get about the same pitched noises as we do. So if its loud to you, it's loud to them. And if its quiet to you, its just as quiet to them.
If they didn't do that before, that's because they may have decided that you are safe to "chat" with. Meaning they feel comfortable around you. Its been researched that some chickens like classical music, but is a personal preference. With chickens, just like with humans.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Chickens shake their heads at noise because they're trying to get the sound out of their ears. Try talking to them quieter, or don't be so close when you talk to them. Also, try talking to them in a lower (or different) tone(s) to see how they react.

Note: Some chickens' ears are more sensitive than others. I haven't been able to figure out why some chickens' ears are more sensitive, though it could be they're like people. To some people, even the quietest noise can bother them, or even be loud for them. If you can figure out which hens' ears are more and less sensitive, you can direct the way you talk to them according to that.

 

[DonyaQuick]

How close is your face to theirs? If you're right up to them, try from further away and also avoid causing air flow near their little ear tufts.

Not all chickens will carry on a conversation; some individuals are talkers, others just want to sit quietly.

 

[Jada22]

My chickens all believe in treats first talk later and some of them do get odd if I’m cleaning, changing water or talking to them if I haven’t brought treats! They’re all different and you have to figure out what they like in terms of tone of voice and closeness.

 

[Chicken poppy]

So when I go up to their house, they stare at me and try looking at me by turning their head facing one eye looking at me. Chickens can’t look straight. And when I talk to them, they shake their heads now. I don’t think they did that before or maybe they always do when I talk to them. My voice is a little high pitch mixed with a mouse. People tell me to please speak up. When I talk to the chickens, they don’t peep or make sound when I talk and shake their head as if they’re sneezing. They do it when it’s almost bedtime, though. They stare at me then shake their heads. Does it irritate them? Does my voice bother them? Is it too loud for them? I try whispering to them but same thing. I feel sad that they hate my voice. How will I talk to them? What kind of noises do they like? Thanks.

Im sure your voice is lovely and gorgeous. It makes it all that more unique in my opinion.

No, they don’t hate your voice. Mine do it to sometimes, its not your voice but most likely the volume. If you speak very firmly or loud and are very close it may bother them.

Please keep in mind, though unlikely it‘s what it is, head shaking can be do to deeper issues like a ear infection.

 

[Berthafluffbutt]

I have 6 chicks, two of which are buff orpingtons. Those two always shake their head to my voice while the others do not.

 

[BawksAndRecreation]

They absolutely twitch their heads when executed. Just like other birds. They also “eye pin” in excitement and joy (rapid pupil dilation). The birds I’m closest with, I can stand by their roost, softly say their name, and they will twitch and (if I have enough light) I’ll see eye pinning. I do this during the day too it’s just harder to get their attention with the distractions.

Completely independent of volume. Do you see hens twitching when a rooster crows right next to their ear holes??? lol I don’t think I’ve ever seen that. But I can say a sentence full of words in the same tone, then throw in an “awww”, “cute”, “snack” or their name and it’s all twitches.

 

[BawksAndRecreation]

I have 6 chicks, two of which are buff orpingtons. Those two always shake their head to my voice while the others do not.

Are they the ones you’re closest with, spend the most time/contact with, or make the most eye contact? I get happy twitches only with chooks I’ve bonded with. The last batch of chicks, very small batch of 3, I spent so much time snuggling with. They twitch to my voice and their favorite words soooo much. Which is great because they’re polish and it’s adorable to watch the happy lil floofjiggles.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

feel sad that they hate my voice.

Why do you think their head shake is a negative sign and that it means they hate your voice? Maybe it's just their way of acknowledging you, recognizing your voice. I think if they "hated" your voice they would squawk or screech or try to get away from you. Or get up and stomp around and act all agitated. You say your voice is soft, maybe speak up, they may be trying to hear you better. But I agree with others, give them space, don't speak too close to them or right in their ears or faces. Watch to see if they shake their heads at other times, maybe there is a medical issue going on like ear infections. Good luck!