Most noise complaints about chickens are really complaints about roosters. Hens are far quieter than people expect — but breed still matters, and a few are genuinely loud. If you have close neighbours, start here.
How loud are chickens really?
For context, here’s where chicken noise sits against everyday sounds:
- Hen, normal clucking: 60–65 dB — roughly a normal conversation.
- Hen, egg song: 70–80 dB for 1–5 minutes — comparable to a vacuum cleaner.
- Rooster crowing: 90 dB — comparable to a lawnmower or a barking dog.
- Typical suburban background noise: 50–60 dB.
The key point: every hen makes an “egg song” — a loud, repeated cackle after laying. No breed is silent. Quiet breeds are quieter the rest of the time and tend to have shorter, less frequent egg songs. A dog barking all afternoon is far louder than a flock of hens.
Noise comparison table
| Breed | Noise level | Egg song | Eggs / year | Temperament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silkie | Very low | Brief, soft | 100–120 | Exceptionally docile |
| Buff Orpington | Very low | Short | 180–220 | Very docile |
| Cochin | Very low | Short | 150–180 | Extremely docile |
| Brahma | Very low | Short | 150–200 | Gentle giant |
| Australorp | Low | Moderate | 250–300 | Calm |
| Barred Plymouth Rock | Low | Moderate | 200–250 | Friendly |
| Wyandotte | Low | Moderate | 200–240 | Confident |
| Sussex | Low–moderate | Moderate | 200–250 | Curious |
The 8 quietest chicken breeds
1. Silkie
The quietest chicken you can keep. Silkies are small, placid, and rarely vocalise beyond soft trilling. They lay only 100–120 eggs a year, which also means far fewer egg songs. The ideal urban breed if egg volume isn’t the priority — see the friendliest breeds.
2. Buff Orpington
The best quiet breed that still lays well. Orpingtons are large, docile, and notably soft-spoken, producing 180–220 eggs a year. The strongest all-round choice for a suburban garden.
3. Cochin
Slow-moving, enormous, and remarkably placid. Cochins rarely make noise beyond gentle murmuring, and their calm nature means they don’t set off flock-wide alarm calling.
4. Brahma
Gentle giants that are also excellent in cold climates — see cold-hardy breeds. Their size makes them unflappable; they simply don’t startle and shriek the way light breeds do.
5. Australorp
The quiet breed for people who want serious egg output. Australorps lay 250–300 eggs a year and remain calm and relatively soft-spoken — the best noise-to-eggs ratio on this list.
6. Barred Plymouth Rock
Friendly, steady, and moderate in voice, laying 200–250 eggs. A dependable choice for families in suburban settings.
7. Wyandotte
Confident but not vocal, and superbly cold-hardy thanks to its rose comb. Lays 200–240 eggs a year with a moderate egg song.
8. Sussex
Slightly chattier than the others — Sussex hens are curious and will “talk” to you — but the volume stays low. Lays 200–250 eggs and forages enthusiastically.
Loudest breeds to avoid near neighbours
- Leghorn — an outstanding layer but genuinely loud and prone to alarm calling.
- Ancona and Andalusian — flighty Mediterranean breeds that vocalise constantly.
- Rhode Island Red — hardy and productive but assertive and often vocal.
- Polish — restricted vision from the crest means frequent startling and alarm calls.
- Any rooster — the actual noise problem, at around 90 dB, starting well before dawn.
How to keep your flock quieter
- Don’t keep a rooster. You don’t need one for eggs, and this single decision eliminates most complaints. Many councils ban them outright — check your local rules before buying birds.
- Give enough space. Crowded hens are stressed and noisy. Check yours with the Coop Size Calculator and how much space chickens need.
- Provide enough nest boxes. One box per 3–4 hens. Hens queuing for a box complain loudly about it.
- Keep feeders and drinkers full. Hungry or thirsty hens are vocal hens.
- Delay the morning opening. A well-ventilated coop lets you leave the pop-hole shut until a reasonable hour without harm.
- Reduce predator sightings. Alarm calls are triggered by hawks, cats, and dogs. A covered run cuts these dramatically.
- Position the coop away from boundaries. Distance and a solid fence make a real difference.
- Share eggs with neighbours. Genuinely the most effective noise-complaint mitigation available.
Frequently asked questions
What is the quietest chicken breed?
The Silkie is the quietest chicken breed — small, placid, and rarely vocal. The Buff Orpington is the quietest breed that still lays well, at 180–220 eggs a year.
Are hens noisy without a rooster?
Hens are relatively quiet, averaging 60–65 dB, about the volume of a conversation. They do make a louder “egg song” of 70–80 dB for a few minutes after laying.
How loud is a rooster?
A rooster crows at around 90 decibels, similar to a lawnmower or barking dog, and starts well before dawn. Roosters cause almost all chicken noise complaints.
Can I keep chickens in a suburban backyard?
Yes, in most areas, provided you keep hens only and check local council rules on flock size, coop placement, and roosters before buying.
Do all chickens make the egg song?
Yes. Every hen makes a loud cackle after laying, lasting one to five minutes. No breed is completely silent, but quiet breeds have shorter, softer egg songs.
Which quiet chicken breed lays the most eggs?
The Australorp, at 250–300 eggs a year, is the most productive of the genuinely quiet breeds.
Next steps: if space is tight too, see the best small chicken breeds, start with the beginner breed guide, or compare every type in the complete chicken breeds guide.
The Easter Egger is moderately vocal rather than loud, which is worth knowing if neighbours are a factor.
The Silkie is another good suburban choice: quiet, small, and its roosters are rarely aggressive.